BYZANTINE GOLD AND GARNET CROSS
Ca. 1200–1400 AD.
A stunning openwork Byzantine gold pendant in the shape of a cross with flaring arms embellished with elaborate patterns in gold filigree, granulation, and wire on sheets of gold, a technique that is typical of late Byzantine art. The cross is centered by an circular collar set with a cabochon garnet, and there is a ribbed oval suspension loop above. This item comes with a modern necklace cord. Excellent condition, wearable. To find out more about Byzantine jewellery, see Entwistle, C. et al (2003). Through a Glass Brightly: Studies in Byzantine and Medieval Art and Archaeology. Oxford and Philadelphia: Oxbow Books. For a very similar Byzantine gold cross in the colelction of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, see https://www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/476543.
Size: L:32mm / W:23mm ; 4.4g
Provenance: Private UK collection; From an old London collection formed in the 1990s.
Estimate: GBP 1500 - 3000