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THB15th C. Late Medieval English Silver Tau Cross
Lot 97
About Seller
Artemis Gallery
686 S Taylor Ave, Ste 106
Louisville, CO 80027
United States
Selling antiquities, ancient and ethnographic art online since 1993, Artemis Gallery specializes in Classical Antiquities (Egyptian, Greek, Roman, Near Eastern), Asian, Pre-Columbian, African / Tribal / Oceanographic art. Our extensive inventory includes pottery, stone, metal, wood, glass and textil...Read more
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Live Auction in Progress ... Currently on Lot Estimate:
$6,000 - $9,000
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| $10,000 | $1,000 |
| $20,000 | $2,500 |
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| $100,000 | $10,000 |
| $200,000 | $20,000 |
About Auction
Live
By Artemis Gallery
Oct 7, 2021
Set Reminder
2021-10-07 10:00:00
2021-10-07 10:00:00
America/New_York
Bidsquare
Bidsquare : Exceptional Antiquities Ethnographic Fine Art
https://www.bidsquare.com/auctions/artemis-gallery/exceptional-antiquities-ethnographic-fine-art-7537
Museum-worthy examples of Egyptian, Greek, Roman, Etruscan, Near Eastern, Far East / Asian, Pre-Columbian, African / Tribal, Oceanic, Native American, Spanish Colonial, Fossils, Ancient Jewelry, Fine / Visual Arts, so much more! Artemis Gallery info@artemisgallery.com
Museum-worthy examples of Egyptian, Greek, Roman, Etruscan, Near Eastern, Far East / Asian, Pre-Columbian, African / Tribal, Oceanic, Native American, Spanish Colonial, Fossils, Ancient Jewelry, Fine / Visual Arts, so much more! Artemis Gallery info@artemisgallery.com
View Full Catalog (371)
- Lot Description
Northwestern Europe, England, late Medieval Period, ca. 1450 to 1550 CE. A museum quality 94% silver pectoral crucifix in the form of a Tau cross, associated with Saint Anthony, used as a talisman against the plague and other disease. The piece is decorated on both sides with engraved vines upon a stippled ground. The interior corners and tips of each arm are surmounted with an applied rosette ornament, 6 in total, with the largest at the top forming a finial and suspension loop that also contains an articulating ring. The rosettes may symbolize the Tudor rose emblem. A fine silver cross such as this piece distinguishes the owner as a wealthy member of society. This devotional piece could be suspended and worn today! Size: 1.65" L x 1.5" W (4.2 cm x 3.8 cm); silver quality: 94%; weight: 13.5 grams
The name tau cross comes from the similarity to the upper-case Greek letter 'tau' which has the same form as the Latin letter T. This was the sign that was believed to be painted in blood on the Israelite doorposts on the night of Passover and mentioned in the Bible passage Ezekiel 9:4. In medieval times the tau cross was most associated with Saint Anthony Abbot of Egypt (251 to 356 CE), a hermit and Christian monk that influenced the early Coptic Christians of Egypt and gained the respect of Emperor Constantine. The tau cross embodied the crutch that he leaned upon in old age, representing his longevity as he supposedly lived to be 105 years old! In stark contrast the average medieval person had a lifespan of 30 years, most not making it past childhood. Saint Anthony was often appealed to fight against diseases, his popularity increasing during times of plague.
This piece has been searched against the Art Loss Register database and has been cleared. The Art Loss Register maintains the world's largest database of stolen art, collectibles, and antiques.
Provenance: private Toronto, Ontario, Canada collection; ex-private Lincolnshire, UK collection; ex-private Bristol, UK collection
All items legal to buy/sell under U.S. Statute covering cultural patrimony Code 2600, CHAPTER 14, and are guaranteed to be as described or your money back.
A Certificate of Authenticity will accompany all winning bids.
PLEASE NOTE: Due to recent increases of shipments being seized by Australian & German customs (even for items with pre-UNESCO provenance), we will no longer ship most antiquities and ancient Chinese art to Australia & Germany. For categories of items that are acceptable to ship to Australia or Germany, please contact us directly or work with your local customs brokerage firm.
Display stands not described as included/custom in the item description are for photography purposes only and will not be included with the item upon shipping.
#166938Choice condition. Professionally cleaned. Pinhole perforation near one interior rosette. Light mineral encrustations within recessed areas. Original suspension ring attached. This pendant could be wearable on a cord or chain.Condition
- Shipping Info
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