Byzantine Reliquary Cross Pendant

10TH-12TH CENTURY A.D.

3 1/8 in. (34.4 grams, 79 mm).

A bronze enkolpion reliquary pendant with hinged body; suspension loop with ropework median panel, hollow body with obverse: nimbate Christ holding a book and legend 'ICXC / NHKA'; reverse: Mary Theotokos and infant Jesus and legend 'MΘΥ / ICXC'.

Provenance

Acquired in the late 1990s-2000.
Property of an East London gentleman.

Literature

Cf. Pitarakis, B., Les Croix-Reliquaires Pectorales Byzantines en Bronze, Bibliothèques des Cahiers Archéologiques - XVI, editions A. et J. Picard, Paris, 2006, items 155, 578, for type.

CONDITION

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AUCTIONS:

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LOT 0805