Byzantine jewelry and cross pendants

Material: Gold, silver, bronze, garnets, amethyst, steatite
Date range: 5th-12th century AD
Origin: Byzantine Empire, including Constantinople

This extensive collection shows the variety of crosses used in Byzantine Christian worship and daily life. The larger standing crosses include ornate reliquary crosses with flared ends, which held sacred relics and were highly valued religious objects in Byzantine churches.

The collection includes smaller cross pendants in various designs, from simple equal-armed crosses to elaborate decorated pieces. These range from gold crosses set with precious stones like garnets and amethyst to simple bronze crosses, showing crosses were worn by Byzantines of all social classes.

Additional items include gold crescent-shaped earrings with hanging decorations, cross-shaped seals used for official documents, and various pendant crosses in different materials. The diversity of materials and styles demonstrates the central importance of the cross symbol in Byzantine Christian culture across all levels of society.

Museum label reference:

11. Cross. Gold and garnets.
12. Cross. Gold and amethyst. 5th c. A.D.
13. Cross-shaped seal. Bronze. Inscription K[Lord]E B[help] NIKHTA PROTOSPA[tharios] and ARTOK[lin]. From Constantinople. 10th c. A.D.
14. Reliquary crosses. Bronze. 8th-9th c. A.D.
15. Crosses. Gold, silver, garnets, steatite and bronze. 6th-8th c. A.D.
16. Cross. Bronze. 10th-12th c. A.D.

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