Byzantine reliquary cross (Encolpion) with inscription and decoration

ITEM: Reliquary cross (Encolpion) with inscription and decoration
MATERIAL: Bronze
CULTURE: Byzantine
PERIOD: 10th - 13th Century A.D
DIMENSIONS: 89 mm x 48 mm
CONDITION: Good condition
PROVENANCE: Ex Dutch private collection, acquired between 1980 - 1990

Comes with Certificate of Authenticity and Export Licence. If you are from outside the European Union, we will have to apply for the export licence again for your country, this takes 3 to 5 weeks and has a cost of 5% of the hammer price, this amount will be added to the final invoice.

The Byzantine pendant encolpion, also known as an enkolpion or encolpion, was a type of religious pendant worn by members of the Byzantine clergy and devout Christians. These pendants typically took the form of small metal containers, often made of gold, silver, or bronze, and were worn suspended from a chain around the neck. The encolpion served as a portable reliquary or shrine, containing sacred relics, such as bone fragments of saints, pieces of the True Cross, or holy oil, believed to possess healing or protective powers.

Byzantine pendant encolpia were intricately crafted and often adorned with elaborate designs, including religious symbols, scenes from the life of Christ or the saints, and inscriptions in Greek or Latin. They were considered objects of veneration and devotion, serving as tangible reminders of the wearer's faith and piety. The encolpion played a significant role in Byzantine religious rituals and practices, serving as a focal point for prayer, meditation, and spiritual contemplation.

The use of Byzantine pendant encolpia reflects the Byzantine Empire's rich tradition of religious art and devotion. These pendants served as personal talismans and symbols of divine protection, worn by individuals seeking spiritual guidance, healing, or divine favor.