Title

Pendant Cross Reliquary with an Image of Saint John

Creator

Creation Date

9th-13th centuries

Culture

Byzantine

Medium

Bronze

Dimensions

3 13/16 x 1 13/16 x 3/8 in. (with suspension)

Credit Line

Bequest of David P. Harris ('46), 2020

Accession Number

2020.135

Description

This cross consists of two faces, hinged together by the suspension loop at the upper end and opened by a pin at the lower end. One side features a full-length incised image of St. John, labeled by the Greek inscription above his head, in the orant pose. He is flanked by two small trees. The other side of the cross features an incised image of a cross with flared arms. The four round impressions suggests that this side of the cross was inlaid with glass or stones.

The two halves of the cross form an interior cavity in which a relic could be housed.

For more information on this type of pectoral cross, see Brigitte Pitarakis, Les croix-reliquaires pectorales byzantines en bronze, Bibliothèque des Cahiers Archéologiques 16 (Paris: Picard, 2006).

Provenance

Purchased from the Antique Shop in the Hilton Hotel, Istanbul, on April 20, 1968.

Collection

The Byzantine World

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