A reliquary is a receptacle for keeping or displaying sacred relics. For Christians, relics were objects connected with saints or the actual physical remains of saints. The  More »

A reliquary is a receptacle for keeping or displaying sacred relics. For Christians, relics were objects connected with saints or the actual physical remains of saints. The veneration of the sacred relics of martyrs is a practice known to date from at least as early as the 2nd century. The Crusades led to an influx of relics from the Middle East and reliquaries became popular items of adornment used for protection by crusaders and the wealthy elite who could afford such luxuries. Although the practice of veneration was defended both by the 13th century theologian St. Thomas Aquinas and by the Council of Trent in the 16th century, the veneration of icons has always had a greater importance in the Eastern Orthodoxy. This beautiful Byzantine reliquary cross once housed the relics of a Christian martyr. The front and back halves of the object are still seated together by the hinges, having remained unopened through the ages. Perhaps traces of the martyr’s or saint’s remains, originally deposited inside are still contained there. The Latin-shaped cross has been incised with a representation of Mary on the front. The Virgin is shown with her arms outstretched in prayer, bent upward towards the heavens. This specific pose is known as the Virgin Orans, meaning “Praying Virgin.” The forms of the Virgin have been abstracted. This suggestive style heightens the spirituality of the work, for it is the idea of the holiness of the figure that is the focus, not her physicality. Above the Virgin’s head is inscribed in Greek letters the word “KOIENO,” the meaning of which is unclear. Often on other similar reliquaries, the name of the saint, or those of other religious figures, is inscribed here. On the reverse, incised lines outline the cruciform shape of the reliquary. Incised details of various shapes adorn the arms of the cross, and a circle accented with a focal point rests in the nexus of the cross. An early conservator of the artifact identified its date as 5th to 6th century A.D., though others bearing similar style have been dated as far forward as 8th to 12th century A.D. The sacred, protective energies of this spectacular reliquary cross continue to radiate outwards, still as potent and powerful as the day it was first worn. - (SP.505)   « Less

Though the cross is one of the simplest of forms, it is probably the most poignant. For Christians and non-Christians alike, the cross is synonymous with Jesus Christ. The  More »

Though the cross is one of the simplest of forms, it is probably the most poignant. For Christians and non-Christians alike, the cross is synonymous with Jesus Christ. The fact that an instrument of death was turned into a symbol of spiritual rebirth is amazing. This is especially true for the faithful, and the Byzantine age was certainly one of fervent piety and extreme fanaticism. In terms of religious expression, this lovely cross falls into the category of gentle piousness and deep devotion. The figure of Christ is quite abstract, and done in such a way as to suggest the torment of his physical body and the detachment from the physical realm through resurrection. This cross is very personal and intimate. Though worn publicly, it does not shout its creed, but proclaims the wearer is sharing the quiet joys of faith. - (GD.107)   « Less

Byzantine Bronze Cross - GD.108 Origin: Bethlehem Circa: 500 AD to 900 AD Collection: Byzantine Art Style: Biblical Medium: Bronze Condition: Extra Fine

Byzantine Bronze Cross - GD.108 Origin: Bethlehem Circa: 500 AD to 900 AD Collection: Byzantine Art Style: Biblical Medium: Bronze Condition: Extra Fine   « Less

Byzantine Bronze Cross - SF.133 Origin: Mediterranean/Bethlehem Circa: 400 AD to 900 AD Dimensions: 4.5" (11.4cm) high x 2.6" (6.6cm) wide Collection: Byzantine Style:  More »

Byzantine Bronze Cross - SF.133 Origin: Mediterranean/Bethlehem Circa: 400 AD to 900 AD Dimensions: 4.5" (11.4cm) high x 2.6" (6.6cm) wide Collection: Byzantine Style: Byzantine Medium: Bronze   « Less

Byzantine Bronze Cross - OS.050 Origin: Jerusalem Circa: 600 AD to 1100 AD Collection: Byzantine Art Style: Byzantine/Crusader Medium: Bronze

Byzantine Bronze Cross - OS.050 Origin: Jerusalem Circa: 600 AD to 1100 AD Collection: Byzantine Art Style: Byzantine/Crusader Medium: Bronze   « Less

Incised Byzantine Bronze Cross - OS.238 Origin: Jerusalem Circa: 400 AD to 900 AD Dimensions: 3" (7.6cm) high x 2" (5.1cm) wide Collection: Byzantine Art Style:  More »

Incised Byzantine Bronze Cross - OS.238 Origin: Jerusalem Circa: 400 AD to 900 AD Dimensions: 3" (7.6cm) high x 2" (5.1cm) wide Collection: Byzantine Art Style: Byzantine Medium: Bronze   « Less

Since the dawn of history, man has adorned himself with gold ornaments to enhance his prestige and self-image. In the Byzantine age, a technique was developed that gave the  More »

Since the dawn of history, man has adorned himself with gold ornaments to enhance his prestige and self-image. In the Byzantine age, a technique was developed that gave the visual effect of gold at a fraction of the cost. In a gold sandwich, as archaeologists have come to call it, a thin layer of gold leaf is set between two sheets of glass. The gold shines through the glass, creating the illusion of a solid sheet, and is then worn as jewelry. This intriguing fragment still glows with the rich warmth of gold. It reminds us that the fascination with what is precious and beautiful is as old as civilization itself. - (GF.0310)   « Less

This bronze item may have served as a pendant of some sort. Due to the form of the item, which does not appear to open, its purpose is uncertain. Its shape resembles a  More »

This bronze item may have served as a pendant of some sort. Due to the form of the item, which does not appear to open, its purpose is uncertain. Its shape resembles a slender lyre, comprised of two snakes flanking a long, segmented spine. At the base is a circular shape from which the object may have hung on a chain or lanyard. Just below the snakes’ necks, they are constrained by a clasp of some sort. During fabrication, this component must have been fitted over the snakes’ heads and then their necks bent over to their current position. The item vaguely resembles a caduceus, a symbol associated with the god Hermes, which is also comprised of two snakes. This symbol has been often mistaken for the staff of Asclepius, comprised of only one snake, and in modern times it has been associated with the field of medicine, due to the formal similarity of the two symbols.The snake was an animal that was sacred to several deities, including Asclepius, the god of healing. In Greco-Roman ideology, not yet influenced by Biblical connotations, the snake was symbolic of wisdom and even immortality, perhaps from the fact that it shed its skin as an act of renewal. In this charming artifact, whatever its original purpose, we come face to face with the ancients’ quest for immortality by way of their art and legends. Holding this in our hands, we confirm that their ideas have survived the ages and indeed achieved immortality. - (SP.508)   « Less

Abstract and cryptic in its symbolism the face of this ring is engraved with a series of vertical and horizontal bands divided into three sections. In the center area the  More »

Abstract and cryptic in its symbolism the face of this ring is engraved with a series of vertical and horizontal bands divided into three sections. In the center area the slightly thicker bands form columns and plinths like the entrance to a castle. Short horizontal bands fill the background, while vertical ones comprise the upper and lower areas. Simple in design, and yet mysterious, this ring was probably used as a seal to imprint its mark upon wax, proving ownership and authority of its owner. - (FJ.6371)   « Less

Adorned with a bead of opalescent glass, this golden bauble belonged to a woman during the twilight of the classical era. It combines a delicate Greco-Roman sensibility with  More »

Adorned with a bead of opalescent glass, this golden bauble belonged to a woman during the twilight of the classical era. It combines a delicate Greco-Roman sensibility with the barbarian fondness for gaudy ornament typical of late antiquity. The woman who wore it so long ago must have been something like the jewels she chose: elegant yet bold. Her name and her history have vanished into time; great empires have come and gone; only this jewel survives as it was. Yet when we hold this lovely talisman in our hands, our connection with that woman and her world is direct. - (SJ.0177)   « Less