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Processional Cross Incised with Saints George, John, Stephen and Nicholas
Circa 8th-11th Century AD
Description: Important bronze processional cross decorated on each arm with haloed saint inscribed with name: St. George (top) with elaborate robes enlivened with three small crosses arranged vertically; St John (left) flanked by cross and inscription; St. Nicholas (bottom) in elaborate robes with crosses and holding his hands to his chest, and St. Stephen (right) flanked by inscription and a small cross and incised representation of stones. This depiction of Stephen with three stones is especially interesting. He is described in Acts 6:11 as convicted in 34 AD by the Sanhedrin for blasphemy against Moses and God then stoned by a mob that included Saul of Tarsus (later St. Paul), thus becoming the first Christian martyr. Two small original attachment holes on the bottom arm. Reverse is flat and undecorated.
Inscribed in Greek:
ΟΑΓΗ / ΟCΓΕ / ΟΡ / ΓΗΟ / C
ὁ ἅγηος Γεoργηος = ὁ ἅγιος
Γεoργιος
Saint George
ΟΑΓ / ΗΟC / ΗΟ / Α / ΝΗ / C
ὁ ἅγηος Ἠοάνης = ὁ ἅγιος
Ἰοάν(ν)ης
Saint John
ΟΑΓΗ / ΟCCΤΕ / ΦΑΝ / ΟC
ὁ ἅγηος Στέφανος = ὁ ἅγιος
Στέφανος
Saint Stephen
ΟΑΓΗΟCΝ / ΗΚ / Ο / Λ / Α / Ο / C
ὁ ἅγηος Νηκoλαος = ὁ ἅγιος
Νικoλαος
Saint Nicholas
Length: 4.15 in. (10.5 cm)
Width: 3.4 in (8.6 cm)
Condition: Intact as shown. In the center, remains of a tinned solder which presumably once held a central jewel in place.
Reference: See Les Croix-Reliquares Pectorales Byzantines en Bronze by Brigitte Pitarakis, figure #87, for a related example.
Provenance: Formerly in the collection of the Boston scholar Carroll Wales, collected 1952-1970.
Price: SOLD
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