Silver Reliquary Pendant
19th century A.D. or earlier. Presenting a scalloped frame and bifacial black enamelled detailing: one side with the Crucifixion scene, niello 'IC XC' in the field, two saints at the foot of the cross, scrolling borders; the reverse with 'IC XC / NI KA' over two lines with cross between; articulate and facetted loop. Cf. for reliquary pendant in similar style see the British Museum, London, museum no. AF.354, for a 6th century reliquary from Constantinople. 30.9 grams, 51 mm (2 in.).

From the collection of a North American gentleman, formed in the 1990s. A small reliquary pendant, possibly containing the remains of cloth or bone of a saint. The relics had to be kept in containers that expressed the dignity of their contents: chests, cases and, of course, reliquaries. This also applied to personal relics, often in the form of pendants, which were sometimes made in gold and silver. [For this specific lot, 5% import VAT is applicable on the hammer price]