Lot 983

Description

A typical Middle Byzantine cross design with forked arms, each ending in a medallion. There is a further medallion in the centre. The arms are silver-coloured and decorated with linear black niello work: on the outer side, lines running parallel to the edge; on the inner side, floral tendrils. The inner medallions are gilded, and the relief – or the inscription – stands out in three-dimensional relief against a recessed background. In the centre is a bust of the Saviour. In the outer medallions is the abbreviated Greek inscription: IC (left) / XC (right) / NI (top) / KA (bottom): Jesus Christ the Victor. At the top is a movable, barrel-shaped eyelet connected to the cross by a three-part hinge: in the centre, an eyelet protruding from the cross; flanked by two pierced plates extending from below the ends of the lower edge of the barrel-shaped eyelet. The three elements of the hinge are pierced through the centre and a silver pin is threaded through them, with a river pearl attached to the left and right of the hinge. The ends of the silver pin are hammered flat. On the silver-coloured reverse, a Greek inscription is inlaid in black niello, arranged in a cross-shaped pattern: Lord, help Thy servant (Michael?). Apart from a scratch on the reverse, this is an exceptionally beautiful and very well-preserved cross pendant for a necklace, and a rare example in silver. Height 42 mm. CULTURAL ASSET!

Provenance: A private collection in southern Germany, from the estate of the collector’s grandfather. The works were purchased by him at art fairs and in galleries between the 1980s and 1990s.

Condition: II + Questions about the lot?