Byzantine Copper Reliquary Cross & Chain

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Ancient / Ethnographic From Around The World

By Artemis Gallery

Nov 8, 2018

Set Reminder 2018-11-08 10:00:00 2018-11-08 10:00:00 America/New_York Bidsquare Bidsquare : Ancient / Ethnographic From Around The World https://www.bidsquare.com/auctions/artemis-gallery/ancient-ethnographic-from-around-the-world-3598
Ancient art from Egypt, Greece, Italy and the Near East, as well as Asian, Pre-Columbian, Native American, African / Tribal / Oceanic, Spanish Colonial, Russian Icons, Fine art, much more! Artemis Gallery info@artemisgallery.com

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• Lot Description
  Near East/Holy Land, Byzantine Empire, ca. 9th to 13th century CE. A copper-alloy reliquary cross comprised of two crosses - one depicting Jesus and the other depicting Mary in relief - hinged so as to allow for access to a hollow space intended to hold a relic (though this one has fused over time and no longer opens) - suspended from a long copper chain. Scholars believe that copper-alloy reliquary crosses were not used for relics of the True Cross or what are considered primary relics such as the bones of saints. Instead, these were used for secondary relics - earth from a holy site or a fabric regarded as holy via contact with the body of a saint. Size: chain measures 29" L (73.7 cm); reliquary cross measures 3.25" H (8.3 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 - and 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.
  
  Provenance: private East Coast, USA 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.
  
  We ship worldwide and handle all shipping in-house for your convenience.
  
  #137124

  Condition

  Age-commensurate surface wear and abrasions, slight bending to suspension loop hinges and overall form, small nicks to suspension loop, bottom latch, and terminals, otherwise intact and imagery is very strong. Reliquary has fused and does not open. Chain is intact and serviceable. Lovely green patina.
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