Christian Bronze Saint George Processional Cross - Eastern Roman/Byzantine
c. 11th Century AD (Crusades Period)
(142 x 100 mm – 5.5 x 4”)
Very fine and rare bronze ancient Processional Cross of Latin form with flaring arms and oval termini. This cross is decorated with the elaborately robed standing figure of Saint George with outstretched hands (“orans”). His name appears in Greek above him. The back is unadorned. Crosses like this example were mounted atop processional staffs for all to witness. Fine condition with dark green patina and brown overtones. The lower triangular terminus that would have been inserted is no longer extant.
For other bronze crosses with similar St George iconography (identified as from 11th century Constantinople or Anatolia), see Pitarakis, Le Croix Reliquaires Pectorales, Paris 2006, figures 355, 357, 361.
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.
