GREEK, ROMAN AND BYZANTINE OBJECTS ... - Hellenic College

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6 2. Bronze Reliquary Cross-Pendants The cross-shaped pendants, or engolpia, derive from early Christian metal crosses that were worn around the necks of believers and often had small openings to enclose fragments of the True Cross, some other relic, or various blessed objects. The majority of these early crosses, however, were not meant to be reliquaries. These early crosses bore either decorative patterns or some image of the crucified Christ or other holy figures. After the first Iconophile victory of 787, the role of personal, historiated phylacteries, or cross-pendants, took on a great significance among the supporters of holy images as a visual expression of their Orthodoxy, especially high-ranking individuals such as Patriarch Nikephoros I (806-815). These phylacteries usually bore an image of the crucified Christ, the Virgin, saints or images from the life of Christ. They were constructed in halves and joined by a hinge and locking device so that they could be opened to insert either a fragment of the True Cross, some other sacred relic, or blessed object. They were worn as an amulet whereby the owner expressed not only their support of holy images but also their belief in the protective powers of the sign of the Cross and relics, all sacred objects supported by the Iconophiles. Historiated reliquary cross-pendants were produced in various precious metals such as the following ninth-century examples: gold (the Pliska cross, in Sofia), silver (the Vicopisano cross, in Pisa) and enamel work (the Beresford- Hope cross, in London). But the historiated reliquary cross-pendant was also mass-produced in bronze in workshops throughout the Byzantine Empire from the ninth to the twelfth century. Hundreds of these more modest examples survive and are found in many museum and private collections. Their large number give evidence to the popular piety which stimulated the production of these bronze reliquary crosses and their owners’ trust in the efficacy of the protective and healing powers of the Cross, images of Christ and the saints, and holy relics in the post-Iconoclastic centuries
4. Bronze Pectoral Reliquary Cross Byzantine (Constantinople or Anatolia) 11th century 10.7 cm (with suspension) X 5 cm x 0.6 cm 56 gm Obverse INSCRIBED: (Peter) Saint Peter orans standing Reverse Glass paste at center, decorative pattern of crossing lines and knot motif 5. Bronze Pectoral Reliquary Cross Byzantine (Constantinople or Anatolia) 10th-11th century, 10.3 cm (with suspension) x 4.7 cm x 1.2 cm 89 gm Obverse INSCRIBED: (Jesus Christ conquers) Crucifixion, Christ wearing the long kolobion Reverse INSCRIBED: (Mother of God) Virgin orans standing, flanked by busts of two unidentified bearded saints holding Gospel books 7
Page 1 and 2: GREEK, ROMAN AND BYZANTINE OBJECTS
Page 3 and 4: Contents Page Introduction and Ackn
Page 5 and 6: 1. Bronze Bread Stamps Among pre-Ch
Page 7: 3. Bronze Slipper-Shaped Bread Stam
Page 11 and 12: during the Classical period with a
Page 13 and 14: 9. Silver Tetradrachm of Philip III
Page 15 and 16: This tradition continued with the i
Page 17 and 18: 12. Silver Didrachm of Hadrian Capp
Page 19 and 20: 3.III Byzantine Coins Byzantine coi
Page 21 and 22: 17. Copper Follis of Justin I Byzan
Page 23 and 24: 23. Copper Half Follis of Justin II
Page 25 and 26: 29. Copper Half Follis of Leo VI By
Page 27 and 28: 35. Silver, Latin Imitative Aspron
Page 29 and 30: 40. Bronze/Copper Drachm or Obol? A
Page 31 and 32: 46. Copper Half Follis of Heraclius
Page 33 and 34: Pitarakis, B., “Un groupe de croi
Page 35 and 36: Byzantine American Numismatic Socie

GREEK, ROMAN AND BYZANTINE OBJECTS ... - Hellenic College

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