Byzantine Decorated Leather Case

Composed of a box-type semi-circular body with scalloped frame, central circular cell with blue glass bead inlay, filigree wire border and pellet to each arm, granule clusters to the body, three dangles supporting glass beads. 4.66 grams, 29 mm



From a late Japanese specialist collector, 1970-2000s.

Rectangular with pierced lug to the reverse; rectangular design with text 'XAPO / ETA'. 80 grams, 66 mm



From the private collection of the late Mr S.M., London, UK, 1969-1999; thence by descent.

The legend should have been written in reverse for a stamp; it may have been a blundered legend by the workman.

The frontal section of an enkolpion, with the representation of crucified Jesus among Saint Mary and Saint John; Christ dressed in a long tunic (colobium) decorated with parallel stripes (clavi) and patterned hatches, his head turned to the right; his wounds on the cross are marked by nails; the cross standing upon a small hill, identified by rare inscription 'Ο ΤΟΠΟС КРАΝΙΟΥ' (a place of a skull, Matthew 27:33), indicating Golgota; the titulum with inscription 'Ι(ΗСΟΥ)С X(ΡΙ СΤΟ)C' (Jesus Christ), and the sun (left) with the moon (right); the central inscription corresponds to the words of the Gospel of John 19:26: 'here is your son, (ΙΔΕ Ο Υ {ΙΟ} С {C}ΟΥ ) here is your Mother (ΙΔΟΥ Η ΜΗΤ{Η}Ρ CΟΥ)'. 56.5 grams, 86 mm



Formerly in a 1980s collection. Acquired on the UK art market. Previously the property of an Essex gentleman.

Usually the reliquary crosses or enkolpia, were composed of two separate halves, inside of which a relic of a saint was contained; this could have been a piece of cloth or a bone. This extraordinary piece is very rare due to containing part of the Gospel of John about the Crucifixion.