EARLY CHRISTIAN SILVER CROSS
Eastern Roman/Byzantine - 11th – 12th century AD
Silver Latin Cross with Central Stone (63 x 48 mm – 2 1/2 x 1 7/8”)
A very attractive large and heavy silver pectoral cross. The central axis is embellished by a large green stone (or glass?) cabochon. The arms of the cross are embellished with incised decoration of lines and silver beads. This cross retains its hanging loop and could be worn today. Well preserved, with surface patina - formerly in a German collection, reportedly found in the Black Sea region of Turkey.
By the 5th and 6th centuries, the Cross had replaced the Chi-Rho as the standard emblem of Christian religious devotion. Its meaning transcended that of the simple monogram to visually recall the crucifixion. Crosses were worn by individuals from every social stratum, from the elaborate bejeweled golden cross of the patriarch to the simple crosses of the common man. The word crusade, which is derived from the Latin crux (cross), is a reference to the biblical injunction that Christians carry their cross. Crusaders wore a red cross sewn on their tunics to indicate they had assumed the cross and were soldiers of Christ. Many also wore a pectoral cross around their neck.
