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THBByzantine Bronze Reliquary Cross, ex-Christie's
Lot 67a
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:
$1,500 - $2,000
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About Auction
Live
By Artemis Gallery
Dec 7, 2023
Set Reminder
2023-12-07 10:00:00
2023-12-07 10:00:00
America/New_York
Bidsquare
Bidsquare : Fine Antiquities, Ancient & Pre-Columbian Art
https://www.bidsquare.com/auctions/artemis-gallery/fine-antiquities-ancient-pre-columbian-art-14361
Classical antiquities, ancient, and ethnographic art from cultures encompassing the globe. Egyptian, Greek, Roman, Etruscan, Near Eastern, Asian, Pre-Columbian, Native American, African / Tribal, Oceanic, Spanish Colonial, Fine / Visual Arts, so much more! Artemis Gallery info@artemisgallery.com
Classical antiquities, ancient, and ethnographic art from cultures encompassing the globe. Egyptian, Greek, Roman, Etruscan, Near Eastern, Asian, Pre-Columbian, Native American, African / Tribal, Oceanic, Spanish Colonial, Fine / Visual Arts, so much more! Artemis Gallery info@artemisgallery.com
View Full Catalog (251)
- Lot Description
Eastern Europe / western Asia, ca. 9th to 12th century CE. A beautiful cast-bronze reliquary cross comprised of two crucifixes which fit together and a large tubular suspension loop with a trapezoidal base. One side engraved withfive highly stylized busts of Saints, accompaning inscriptions identify the upper figure as Mother of God and lower figure as St. Peter. The abbreviated in the horizontal arm reads "Jesus Christ is Victorious" with reverse engraved with cross, center recessed for now-missing inlay. Size: 1.7" W x 3.625" H (4.3 cm x 9.2 cm)
The term "relics" is meant to encompass the physical remains of saints or objects associated with Christ, such as pieces of the True Cross, the shroud His body was wrapped in, or, mythically, the Holy Grail - held tremendous power in medieval Christianity. Reliquaries, objects designed to hold relics, were usually kept in cathedrals or churches, but some wealthy individuals were able to possess them. The less wealthy could purchase replicas of reliquaries, small reliquaries containing less precious items like soil from a holy site, or metal items produced as a form of souvenir from shrines. This example is known as an "enkolpion" (literally "on the chest") because it was meant to safely contain such relics inside the cross which would have been worn on a daily basis. Later, many of these objects were destroyed in times of religious conflict or strife; ones that are intact have often been passed down through generations of families. The Metropolitan Museum of Art has several of these items in its collection, including on display. See the small hinged cross reliquary depicting Christ and the Virgin on display in Gallery 303.
Described in Christies as "Byzantine Silver Reliquary Cross" but our XRF has determined that the metal content is 63.5% copper, 27.5% tin and 7.7% lead. The high tin content explains the silverish appearance.
Provenance: East Coast collection, New York Gallery, New York City, New York, USA, acquired before 2010; ex-Christie's, December 13, 2002, Sale 1164, lot 657
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.
We ship worldwide and handle all shipping in-house for your convenience.
#182444Intact and choice save missing inlay to reverse.Condition
- Shipping Info
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