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.
354150

Condition: II + Questions about the lot?