Pendant Cross Reliquary

12th–14th centuries

Not on view

Gilded silver reliquary crosses were popular in the Orthodox world in the Byzantine and post Byzantine centuries. This work survives in its entirety. The two halves of the reliquary display Christ and an enthroned Virgin flanked by medallions with busts of holy figures. The chain from which the reliquary hung is closed by a clasp with an image of a bearded figure, possibly representing God the Father.

Artwork Details

Overview

Provenance

Title: Pendant Cross Reliquary
Date: 12th–14th centuries
Culture: Byzantine or early Russian (?)
Medium: Silver and gilded silver
Dimensions: Cross pendant (bc) only: 2 5/16 × 1 7/16 × 1/2 in. (5.8 × 3.6 × 1.2 cm)
Cross part b: 2 5/16 × 1 7/16 × 1/4 in. (5.8 × 3.6 × 0.7 cm)
Cross part c: 2 5/16 × 1 7/16 × 5/16 in. (5.8 × 3.6 × 0.8 cm)
Other (chain and medallion only (a)): 12 3/16 × 13/16 × 1/2 in. (31 × 2.1 × 1.3 cm)
Other (medallion on chain): 7/8 × 1 5/16 × 3/16 in. (2.2 × 3.3 × 0.5 cm)
Classification: Metalwork-Silver
Credit Line: Gift of Ronald R. Atkins, 2018
Object Number: 2018.870.1a–c
Curatorial Department: Medieval Art and The Cloisters

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