★ Highly Elaborate Cross ★

A FINE EARLY BYZANTINE DECORATED GOLD CROSS
Circa 5th-7th century AD.
Highly elaborate gold cross with filigree decoration and a central projecting medallion set with a green glass stone. The hollow cross is composed of gold sheet soldered together. The obverse is decorated with spirals and peltae formed of beaded gold wire, the reverse features a chased cross-shaped geometric design. The inside of the suspension loop is filled with glass to strengthen the construction. Compared to the Late Roman period, Early Byzantine gold objects are very rare, and the present example is extraordinary for its size and quality.
H 57 mm; Gold! 21.18 g Ex old European private collection.