Reliquary Cross with Saint George

Date: 800–1300

Culture: Byzantine

Medium: Copper alloy

Dimensions: Overall: 4 15/16 x 2 3/8 x 1/2 in. (12.6 x 6.1 x 1.2 cm)
without knob: 4in. (10.2cm)

Classification: Metalwork-Copper alloy

Credit Line: Gift of Lisa Papamarkou Jewell, in memory of her brother, Alexander Papamarkou, on the occasion of the opening of the Mary and Michael Jaharis Galleries for Byzantine Art, 2000

Accession Number: 2000.526.2

Description

This type of cross, worn around the neck, was made in great numbers from the early Byzantine period onward. They are usually engraved with stylized images of holy figures and designed to contain a small relic. This example shows Saint George standing with his arms raised in prayer.

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