Byzantine Decorated Leather Case

Facetted hoop supporting an ellipsoid bezel with forked cross (crucifixus dolorosus )supporting a cross-in-roudel motif, cross potent to each flank. 4.20 grams, 24.91 mm overall, 20.22 mm internal diameter (approximate size British U, USA 10, Europe 22.52, Japan 21)



Collected from 1969-1999. From the collection of the late Mr S.M., London, UK.

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.

Composed of a slender hoop and sub-circular bezel engraved with a highly stylised figure of a dove. 2.02 grams, 18.51 mm overall, 14.84 mm internal diameter (approximate size British H, USA 3 3/4, Europe 6.18, Japan 6)



Private collection formed since the 1940s. UK art market. Property of an Essex gentleman.