art from the ancient world xliv
DESCRIPTION
Catalog of Early Christian art from the collection of Carroll Wales published by Fragments of Time, http://www.fragmentsottime.comTRANSCRIPT
Ancient Art XLiV
Mary, Matthew, Mark, Luke and John, Initials Inscribed in Greek Circa 9th-11th Century AD
Museum Quality Ancient Ar t
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Many collectors of antiquities focus on one or more of the “big
three” cultures -- Egyptian, Greek and Roman. Until recently,
art from the late Roman, Coptic and Byzantine periods was
sometimes relegated to second class status.
With a blossoming of scholarship and important museum exhi-
bitions over the past two decades -- including Art of Late
Rome and Byzantine at the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts in
1994, the seminal Glory of Byzantium at the Metropolitan
Museum in New York in 1997, and Harvard and Yale’s
Byzantine Women and Their World in 2003 -- objects from
these periods, have enjoyed renewed popularity and intense
collecting interest. And with good reason. Byzantium was a
cultural crossroads. It is where the classical age converged
with the Enlightenment of Western Europe. It was the bridge
between eastern culture and classicism. And it was the cradle
of modern European civilization.
All objects in this catalog come from a single scholarly collec-
tion (see catalog preface for information on the Carroll Wales
Collection). A vast majority bear symbols of early Christianity,
the most dominant symbol, of course, is the sign of the cross.
The cross was not widely depicted until the 4th century AD,
when Christianity became the official religion of the Roman
Empire. From this time forward, however, the cross becomes a
unifying feature of Christian art, whether in its Eastern
Orthodox or Roman Latin form.
A note on Our revised Format
We thank you all for your continued compliments on our cata-
logs. Several clients have suggested that we separate the
prices of the objects from the catalog itself so they can include
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price list. Rest assured that our fixed price policy has not
changed. Every object is competitively priced to eliminate the
need for haggling or bidding. As always, we do encourage you
to call or email us as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.
John Ambrose
Director & Founder
Early Christian Art
76782 10-29:Cat44.qxd 10/29/2008 4:40 PM Page 2
MALCOVE: Ed. Shelia Campbell, TheMalcove Collection (University ofToronto 1985)
PITARAKIS: Brigitte Pitarakis, LesCroix-Reliquares PectoralesByzantines en Bronze (Picard 2006)
PRINCETON: Ed. Slobodan Curcicand Archer St. Clair, Byzantium atPrinceton (Princeton 1986)
SEPPHORIS: Edited by RebeccaMartin Nagy et. al., Sepphoris inGalilee: Crosscurrents of Culture(North Carolina Art Museum 1996)
TEMPLE: Ed by Richard Temple,Early Christian & Byzantine Art(London 1990)
VMFA: Anna Gonosova andChristine Kondoleon, Art of LateRome and Byzantium (VA Museumof Fine Arts 1994)
WALTERS: Exhibition held at theWalters Art Gallery, Early Christianand Byzantine Art (Baltimore 1947)
WEITZMANN: Ed. Kurt Weitzmann,Age of Spirituality: Late Antique andEarly Christian Art, Third to SeventhCentury (NY 1979)
ANTIOCH: Christine Kondoleon,Antioch: The Lost Ancient City(Princeton 2000)
BAILEY IV: D.M. Bailey, A Catalogueof the Lamps in the British Museum,Vol. IV. Lamps of Metal and Stone,and Lampstands (1996)
EMPORIO: Michael Ballance, JohnBoardman, et. al., Excavations inChios 1952-1955 (British School ofArchaeology at Athens 1989)
GALAVARIS: George Galavaris,Bread and the Liturgy: TheSymbolism of Early Christian andByzantine Bread Stamps (Universityof Wisconsin Press 1970)
GLORY: Ed by Helen Evans andWilliam Wixom, The Glory ofByzantium: Art and Culture of theMiddle Byzantine Era A.D. 843-1261(NY 1997)
JEWELLERY STUDIES: Jack Ogden,Classical Gold Jewellery and TheClassical Tradition, Vol 5 (Society ofJewellery Historians 1991)
KALAVREZOU: Ioli Kalavrezou,Byzantine Women and their World(Harvard University Press 2003)
KUNST AUS ROM: FruhchristlicheKunst Aus Rom (Essen 1962)
MAGUIRE: Eunice DautermanMaguire et. al., Art and Holy Powersin the Early Christian House (Illinois1989)
Bibliography
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Publication Date: Winter 2008
Fragments of Time, Inc. accepts:We wish to gratefully acknowledge Dr. Annewies van den
Hoek, of the Harvard Divinity School, for her generous assis-
tance with many of the translations. Needless to say, any
inconsistencies or errors are entirely our own.
76782 10-29:Cat44.qxd 10/29/2008 4:40 PM Page 3
Important Single Collection of Early Christian Objects
It is with great pleasure that we present to you this special catalog of early
Christian objects dating from the late Roman to Middle Byzantine periods.
All of the objects herein were collected over two decades from 1952 to
1970 by Carroll F. Wales (1918-2007), a distinguished Harvard-educated
scholar and conservator. We were fortunate to acquire the Wales collection
of antiquities in its entirety directly from the estate, and are pleased to certi-
fy this important provenance with every object herein.
Wales traveled extensively throughout the Middle East and North Africa. He spent the
1950s restoring Byzantine frescoes in istanbul under grants from the Dumbarton Oaks
Museum, and is also known for his restoration of the famous Roman mosaic panel from
Antioch (photo above) at the Worcester (MA) Art Museum. He enjoyed an enduring
friendship with archaeologist Max Mallowan and his wife, Agatha Christie, and conserved
ivories for Mallowan during excavations at Nimrud, Iraq.
While his collection spanned an 800-year timeframe and includes sculpture, pottery,
bronzes, fine oil lamps, and jewelry, the heart of the Wales collection is a fine concentra-
tion of objects from the dawn of Christianity. Chief among these is a remarkable collection
of bronze enkolpia engraved with a rich variation of saints, angels, Apostles, Mary, and
Jesus Christ himself.
The enkolpion was a popular type of devotional object worn often as a pendant reliquary,
and hence also known as a “reliquary cross.” It consisted of two separate leaves, each
cast with raised or inscribed figural decoration on the outside and a hollowed surface on
its interior side. The leaves are joined by two sets of hinges, a small one at the bottom and
a larger one at the top, usually attached to the loop of a suspension bead. The hollowed
out inside portion of the cross was said to contain an actual sacred relic.
For iconoduls (worshipers of religious images), the wearing of these crosses was an expres-
sion of their orthodox Christian faith, as well as adherence to a religious practice which
called for the representation of holy figures on objects. This practice was vehemently
opposed by the iconoclasts (smashers of religious images). It has been convincingly
argued that the iconoduls were responsible for the widespread use of such pendant reli-
quary crosses following their first victory in 787 AD over their iconoclastic opponents.
Many of the enkolpia in this catalog are inscribed in Greek. As was the Byzantine prac-
tice, such inscriptions include many variations due to carefulness of the engraver, space
available, and region where the cross originated. The study of enkolpia has been
enhanced immeasurably by Brigette Pitarakis’ seminal 2006 work entitled Les Croix-
Reliquaires Pectorales in which she published more than 650 superb 9th-11th Century AD
examples, the vast majority coming from Constantinople or anatolia. Many of the exam-
ples from the Wales collection have close parallels in the Pitarakis raisonne and are so ref-
erenced. We invite you to enjoy this wonderful collection.
Carroll F. Wales
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Circa 8th-11th Century AD
Length: 4.15 in. (10.5 cm)
Width: 3.4 in (8.6 cm)
Condition: Intact as shown. In
the center, remains of a tinned
solder which presumably once
held a central jewel in place.
Reference: See PITARAKIS, Figure
#87, for a related example.
Inscribed:
ΟΑΓΗ / ΟCΓΕ / ΟΡ / ΓΗΟ / C
ὁ ἅγηος Γεóργηος = ὁ ἅγιος
Γεóργιος
Saint George
ΟΑΓ / ΗΟC / ΗΟ / Α / ΝΗ / C
ὁ ἅγηος Ἠοάνης = ὁ ἅγιος
Ἰοάν(ν)ης
Saint John
ΟΑΓΗ / ΟCCΤΕ / ΦΑΝ / ΟC
ὁ ἅγηος Στέφανος = ὁ ἅγιος
Στέφανος
Saint Stephen
ΟΑΓΗΟCΝ / ΗΚ / Ο / Λ / Α / Ο / C
ὁ ἅγηος Νηκóλαος = ὁ ἅγιος
Νικóλαος
Saint Nicholas
Byzantine
Important bronze processional cross decorated on each
arm with haloed saint inscribed with name: St. George
(top) with elaborate robes enlivened with three small
crosses arranged vertically; St John (left) flanked by cross
and inscription; St. Nicholas (bottom) in elaborate robes
with crosses and holding his hands to his chest, and St.
Stephen (right) flanked by inscription and a small cross and
incised representation of stones. This depiction of Stephen
with three stones is especially interesting. He is described
in Acts 6:11 as convicted in 34 AD by the Sanhedrin for
blasphemy against Moses and God then stoned by a mob
that included Saul of Tarsus (later St. Paul), thus becoming
the first Christian martyr. Two small original attachment
holes on the bottom arm. Reverse is flat and undecorated.
1Large cross with Four Saints
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Byzantine christ, Virgin and Stephen2
Circa 9th-11th Century AD
Length: 3.25 in. (8.3 cm)
Condition: Unhinged top and
bottom but most likely a matching
set. Smooth olive patina on front,
obverse side toned. Fore-edge of
one arm chipped.
Inscribed:
Obverse:
ΠΑΝΑΓΗΑ
Παναγήα = Παναγία
Panaghia (meaning “All-Holy,” the
title of the virgin Mary)
ΗC XC = Ἰ(ησοῦ)ς Χ(ριστό)ς
Jesus Christ
Reverse:
ΟΑΓΗΟCCΤΕΦ / ΑΝΟC
ὁ ἅγηος Στέφανος = ὁ ἅγιος
Στέφανος
Saint Stephen
Reference: See PITARAKIS, #279
for a related example of the
obverse in the Walters Museum.
Complete bronze
reliquary cross
(enkolpion) decorat-
ed on the obverse
with two central fig-
ures representing
the Panaghia, or All
Holy Virgin Mary
with her son Jesus
Christ. This repre-
sentation symbol-
izes Mary with
Christ in the womb
at the moment of
the incarnation.
Mary’s arms are in
the orans position,
i.e. arms outspread
in prayer, a custom
of praying in antiq-
uity that survives in
Christianity to this
day. Incised crosses
decorate the space
at each of Mary’s
arms. The Christ
child is shown
wearing a mantle
decorated with ver-
tical and horizontal
lines.
On the reverse, St
Stephen is shown
with arms outspread
and wears a spec-
tacularly decorated
robe. By his hand, a
symbol of the cross
on a mound of
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Complete bronze
reliquary cross
(enkolpion) depict-
ing an elaborately
robed figure with
arms outstretched
in prayer with the
title Archistrategos
incised above.
Archistrategos
means “commander
in chief” and is a
title used for lumi-
naries, particularly
the archangel
Michael, who is
most likely repre-
sented here.
The reverse fea-
tures a wonderful
depiction of St.
George with broad
rounded shoulders
and flowing robes.
From Constantinople
or Anatolia.
A superbly incised
and important
example with beau-
tiful patina.
3 ByzantineArchistrategos and St. George
Circa 9th-11th Century AD
Length: 3.3 in. (8.5 cm)
Condition: Superb. Lower hinge
intact.
Inscribed:
Obverse:
ΑΡΧΗCΤΡ / ΑΤΗΓΟC
Ἀρχηστράτηγος = Ἀρχιστράτηγος
Archistrategos (Michael or another
archangel)
Reverse:
ΟΑΓΗΟCΓ / ΗΟΡΓΗΟ / C
ὁ ἅγηος Γηόργηος = ὁ ἅγιος
Γεόργιος
Saint George
Reference: See PITARAKIS, #348,
for a very closely related example
with St. John and St. George, most
certainly from the same workshop
and possibly by the same hand.
Background: Archistrategos
means “commander-in-chief” and
is usually the title of archangels
though not exclusively. In written
texts, it has been used as title of
Christ and Stephen (as well as the
archangels). It also occurs for the
Satanic hosts, as in Origen. The
word originally came from the
Hebrew Bible and was transferred
through the Septuagint to the
Christian world.
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Complete bronze
reliquary cross
(enkolpion) depict-
ing a robed figure
with arms out-
stretched in prayer
on each side. The
front inscribed with
the name of St.
Michael, and the
reverse featuring a
non-standard
inscription most
likely of St. George.
Original pins both
top and bottom.
Extremely rare in
original unopened
condition.
Unopened reliquary cross4Byzantine
Circa 9th-11th Century AD
Height: 4 in. (10.2 cm)
Condition: Original unopened
state. Smooth, olive-green patina
front, the reverse with lighter
green patina and very tip of left
arm broken away.
Inscribed:
Obverse:
ΜΗΧΑΗ / Λ
Μηχαήλ = Μιχαήλ
Michael
Reverse:
ΟΑΓΙC / ΓΙΕ / ΟC
ὁ ἅγι(ο)ς Γιε(όρ)γ(ι)ος(?)
Saint George?
Reference: See PITARAKIS,
Supplemental #7, for an example
with Saints Michael and George.
See also #79, PRINCETON for a
reliquary depicting Michael.
76782 10-29:Cat44.qxd 10/29/2008 4:40 PM Page 8
Byzantine5Jesus christ and Virgin
Complete bronze
reliquary cross
(enkolpion) with art-
ful depiction of
Jesus Christ with
intricately styled
flowing robes, an
ornate halo also
symbolic of a crown
of thorns, and out-
stretched arms with
a cross on each side
symbolic of the nail
piercings. His feet,
each with a nail
piercing, protrude
from below his gar-
ment. Inscribed
above with the
abbreviated form of
Jesus Christ. The
reverse depicts a
figure with arms
outstretched in
prayer wearing
beautifully detailed
robes with Panaghia
inscription above.
Superbly preserved.
Circa 9th-11th Century AD
Length: 3.3 in. (8.4 cm)
Condition: Intact with superb
patina on both sides. Hinge at
bottom intact.
Inscribed:
Obverse:
ΗC / XC
Ἠ(σοῦ)ς {Ἰ(ησοῦ)ς} Χ(ριστό)ς
Jesus Christ
Reverse:
ΠΑΝΑΓ / Η / Α
Παναγήα = Παναγία
Panaghia (meaning All-Holy)
Reference: See PITARAKIS, #236,
for related iconography, and also
TEMPLE, #57, for a reliquary cross
with Panaghia.
Background: Panaghia (also
transliterated as Panagia and
Panayia), meaning “All Holy,” was
the title given to the Virgin after
her motherhood of Christ was
confirmed at the Council of
Ephesus in 431 AD.
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Byzantine 6 Mary as Mother of God
Bronze reliquary
cross (enkolpion)
depicting four fig-
ures. The two cen-
tral figures are
undoubtedly Christ
and the Virgin
Mary, Mother of
God, as indicated
by the inscription
above. Two addi-
tional figures, en
buste without
inscription, are pre-
sented at the end of
the left and right
arms. By conven-
tion, the two busts
may represent St.
John and St. Paul.
Superb patina and
sharp inscription. A
scarcer type with
four figures.
Circa 9th-11th Century AD
Length: 3.25 in (8.2 cm)
Condition: Intact and attractive
except one bottom hinge missing
and a small pin-hole to the right
arm.
Inscribed:
ΜΗΡ ΘΥ = μή(τη)ρ θ(εο)ῦ
Mother of God
Reference: See PITARAKIS, #318
and #319 for related examples
with Christ and Mary flanked by
anonymous busts, and #452 for
an example flanked by busts iden-
tified as St. John and St. Paul.
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Byzantine7St John and Panaghia
Large, solid bronze
pendant cross with
single attachment
loop at top. On the
front, a single full-
length portrait of an
elaborately robed
man is depicted
with arms out-
stretched in prayer.
Two triangular
motifs, perhaps
palm branches,
flank the figure. An
inscription above
identifies the figure
as St. John the
Theologian. St. John
was son of Zebedee
and the beloved
apostle of Christ.
He is believed to
have authored the
Gospel and first
Epistle of John, and
to have outlived the
other Apostles. He
is also known as
John the Evangelist
and John the Divine.
On the reverse, a
similar figure is
shown surmounted
by a Panaghia
inscription.
Circa 9th-11th Century AD
Height: 3.4 in. (8.6 cm)
Condition: Intact. Olive brown
patina with two small areas of
very light encrustation.
Attachment loop intact.
Inscribed:
Obverse:
ΟΘΕΟΛΟΓ / ΟCΤ
ὁ θεολόγος τ(ου ??) or Ι(οάννης ??)
The Theologian (meaning St. John
the Theologian)
Reverse:
ΠΑΝΑ / ΓΗΑ
Παναγήα = Παναγία
Panaghia (meaning “All-Holy” the
title of the Virgin Mary)
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Byzantine
Circa 9th-11th Century AD
Height: 3.8 in (10 cm)
Condition: Intact as shown, no
pin in lower hinge.
Reference: See PITARAKIS #508
for an uninscribed example with a
figure, and #620 for a variant of
the etched cross reverse.
8 incised Figure and cross
Complete bronze
reliquary cross
(enkolpion) depict-
ing, on obverse, a
single standing fig-
ure with arms
stretched out in
prayer. The figure
is drawn in a very
schematic style.
On the reverse, a
large cross is
incised with
punched dots punc-
tuating each of the
extremities and the
center. A large
piece of the original
bronze attachment
at the top remains.
Nice green patina.
76782 10-29:Cat44.qxd 10/29/2008 4:40 PM Page 12
Byzantine
Circa 8th-10th Century AD
Length: 8.4 in. (21.3 cm)
Width: 4.2 in. (10.5 cm)
Condition: Intact.
Inscribed:
ΜΗΧ / ΑΗΛ
Μηχαήλ = Μιχαήλ
Michael
ΜΗ / ΘΥ
μή(τηρ) θ(εο)ῦ
Mother of God
ΗΑΓΗ / ΑΜΑΡ / ΝΑ
ἡ ἁγήα Μαρνα ? = ἡ ἁγία Μαρία ?
Saint Mary (Magdalen) ?
Reference: Crosses with tear-
shaped projections appear in the
seventh century and continued
with reduced frequency into the
eleventh century.
Reference: See PITARAKIS, figure
#87, for an example in Athens.
Also see MALCOVE, #177.
9Large Processional crossLarge solid
bronze proces-
sional cross with
two knobs at the
end of each flar-
ing arm and a
long flange for
insertion into a
socket. The
front engraved,
from top, with
the images of
the winged
archangel
Michael, a
haloed Mary
Mother of God,
with her hands
in prayer, and
Saint Mary
Magdalen hold-
ing a cross in
her right hand.
Each figure
depicted within
a ring of dots
and identified
with an inscrip-
tion. The
reverse inscribed
with five similar
four-petaled
flowers. The
winged depic-
tion of the
archangel
Michael is a less
common subject
on reliquary
crosses.
76782 10-29:Cat44.qxd 10/29/2008 4:40 PM Page 13
Standing robed Figure10Byzantine
St. Stephen11Byzantine
Large bronze reli-
quary cross (enkol-
pion) with lovely
portrait of a haloed
figure with out-
stretched arms and
open-palm hands,
possibly St. George,
and long expressive
face. The figure
wears an ornate
robe incised with
hatched and geo-
metric patterns.
Attractive patina.
Circa 9th-11th Century AD
Height: 3.75 in. (9.5 cm)
Condition: Intact as shown.
Remains of attachment loops at
top and bottom.
Reference: See PITARAKIS,
#567-568 for related examples
identified as St. George.
Bronze reliquary
cross (enkolpion)
depicting a haloed
standing figure with
outstretched arms
in prayer and wear-
ing a full-length
robe with ornate
design. Above the
figure is an inscrip-
tion with the name
of St. Stephen.
Circa 9th-11th Century AD
Height: 3.25 in. (8.3 cm)
Condition: Intact as shown.
Thick patina. Bottom attachment
loops partially lost.
Inscribed:
ΑΓΗCΤΕΦΑΝ / ΟC
ἅγη(ος) Στέφανος = ὁ ἅγι(ος)
Στέφανος
Saint Stephen
76782 10-29:Cat44.qxd 10/29/2008 4:40 PM Page 14
Byzantine12Mary with Gospel Authors
Circa 9th-11th Century AD
Height: 3.25 in. (8.3 cm)
Condition: Intact as shown. Top
attachment loops missing.
Inscribed:
ΜΗ ΘΥ
μή(τηρ) θ(εο)ῦ
Mary, Mother of God (center)
And the Greek initials
Μ
Matthew (top)
Μ
Mark (bottom)
Λ
Luke (left)
I
John (right)
Reference: See PITARAKIS #112
for near identical example. For
another example cast in raised
relief in the collection of the
Virginia Museum of Fine Arts, see
#45 VMFA (Virginia: 1994). Also
see WALTERS #305, for a similar
example in the Detroit Institute of
the Arts.
Additional Image: See Cover
Photo.
Artful and important
bronze reliquary cross
(enkolpion) featuring
Mary and the authors of
the four gospels, all cast
in rare raised relief. Mary,
Mother of God, is depict-
ed as the central haloed
figure with flowing robes
and arms outstretched in
prayer. The end of each
arm is decorated with the
bust of a male bearded
bust within a beaded ring,
each identified by the
Greek initials of the
names Matthew, Mark,
Luke and John. Important
type. From Anatolia or
Constantinople.
Byzantine13Mary with Gospel Authors
Circa 9th-11th Century AD
Height: 3.65 in (9.3 cm)
Condition: Intact as shown
except one loop from bottom
hinge missing. The highest relief
detail worn from heavy use in
antiquity, but very discernible.
Reference: See PITARAKIS #114,
and also VMFA, #45, and WAL-
TERS, #305.
Cast raised relief cross simi-
lar to above, uninscribed.
76782 10-29:Cat44.qxd 10/29/2008 4:40 PM Page 15
Byzantine
Circa 8th-11th Century AD
Height: 3.7 in. (9.6 cm)
Condition: Intact.
Reference: See PITARAKIS, #531,
for a variant with central open
cavity and punch pattern.
14 Hinged reliquary cross
Very fine, heavy, simply
decorated, complete
bronze reliquary cross
(enkolpion). Each slightly
flared arm is decorated
with a large concentric
dot pattern and a series of
smaller dot. At the cen-
ter, a large incised circular
pattern with a central
cavity. The top hinge is
attached to the loop of a
large suspension arm.
Front and back cover
have similar design.
Lovely patina.
Byzantine Mother of God inscription15
Top half of a bronze reli-
quary cross (enkolpion)
depicting a full-length
central figure with flow-
ing robe neatly incised.
The head is surrounded
with a nimbus, and
inscribed above. Five
depressed cavities deco-
rate the cross and would
have originally held a
paste or glass inlay. A
large and less common
type. From Anatolia or
Constantinople.
Circa 8th-11th Century AD
Length: 3 in. (7.6 cm)
Condition: Intact with light
encrustation. Minor loss to the
bottom of the punched cavities.
Top hinge broken away.
Inscribed:
ΜΡ / ΘΥ = μ(ήτη)ρ θ(εο)ῦ
Mother of God
Reference: See PITARAKIS #346
for the type.
76782 10-29:Cat44.qxd 10/29/2008 4:41 PM Page 16
Early Byzantine16raised relief crucifix
Circa 6th-8th Century AD
Height: 2.8 in. (7.2 cm)
Condition: Suspension loop
intact and wearable. The relief
detail worn but very discernible.
Reference: See PITARAKIS, figure
#4, for an example in the
Fitzwilliam Museum, Cambridge.
For the type, see also #124 A/B
and also #119 in the VMFA.
Solid cast bronze
pendant cross
with central
depiction in high
relief of the cruci-
fied Christ
flanked on left by
a figure in profile
(mourning Mary)
and on right by a
frontal bust
(John). Two busts
adorn the top
and two angels
appear at Christ’s
feet. Rare and
very early exam-
ple of a crucifix.
Byzantine17Heavy cross with christ
Very thick, solid cast
bronze pectoral cross
with integral attachment
loop at top. The obverse
decorated with a simple
but charming and lightly
incised full-length image
of christ with outstretched
arms and inscription
above. On the reverse,
another full length figure,
possibly Mary.
Circa 8th-11th Century AD
Length: 2.8 in. (7.1 cm)
Condition: Intact. Reverse side
with slightly more wear and possi-
ble indecipherable inscription.
Inscribed:
ΗC / XC
Ἠ(σοῦ)ς {Ἰ(ησοῦ)ς} Χ(ριστό)ς
Jesus Christ
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Byzantine 19 Uninscribed enkolpion
Bronze,
medium-
sized reli-
quary cross
(enkolpion),
uninscribed,
with slightly
flaring arms.
Though
unhinged,
both sides
clearly origi-
nal matched
halves. Nice
example of
the type.
Circa 8th-12th Century AD
Height: 2.25 in (6.2 cm)
Condition: Areas of light encrus-
tation. Hinge pins missing, other-
wise intact.
Byzantine 18 Large Pendant cross Early bronze
pendant
cross with
flat back,
slightly flar-
ing arms,
and integral
attachment
loop at the
top. A large
central circu-
lar cavity
would have
originally
held a glass
inlay.
Flanking the
central cavi-
ty are remains of where four circular appliques or stones
were affixed.
Circa 7th-11th Century AD
Height: 3.3 in. (8.4 cm)
Condition: Intact as shown, with
remains of light earthy encrusta-
tion.
Reference: See PITARAKIS #200
for related type. Also see VMFA,
page 114, for a related example
with central cavity.
76782 10-29:Cat44.qxd 10/29/2008 4:41 PM Page 18
Byzantine20christ nailed to cross
Byzantine21Heavy Pendant cross
Heavy, thickly cast medi-
um-sized bronze pendant
cross with flaring arms and
integral attachment loop at
top. Nice patina and dis-
tinctive style. Wearable.
Circa 6th-10th Century AD
Height: 2.15 in. (5.5 cm)
Condition: Intact with smooth
dark green patina.
Top half of a
bronze reli-
quary cross
(enkolpion)
beautifully
depicting
Jesus Christ,
nimbus at his
head, as a
full-length,
unbearded fig-
ure with flow-
ing robes dec-
orated with a
hatched and
ribbon incis-
ing. His arms
are spread
apart and at
each hand a
large nail is
depicted.
Extremely fine
and rare.
Circa 9th-11th century AD
Height: 3.25 in. (8.3 cm)
Condition: Intact as shown with
bottom loop gone. Superb patina.
Inscribed:
ΗC+CNH / KA
Ἠ(σοῦ)ς {Ἰ(ησοῦ)ς} Χ(ριστὸ)ς νικᾷ
Jesus Christ conquers/is victorious
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Circa 8th-11th Century AD
Length: 2.4 in (6.1 cm)
Condition: Intact as shown with
nice toning.
Reference: See PITARAKIS, #606,
and also see VMFA, page 114, for
the type.
Byzantine 22 Pendant cross
Circa 7th-10th Century AD
Height: 2.1 in (5.3 cm)
Condition: Intact as shown, with
a small surface chip lower left,
otherwise very fine.
Background: The tear-drop pro-
jections were common in the
Seventh century and continued
with reduced frequency into the
Middle Byzantine period.
Byzantine 23 Pendant cross
Larger pendant
bronze cross with
slightly flaring arms
and depressed cen-
tral cavity which
once held a paste or
glass inlay. Each arm
decorated with a
punched circle pat-
tern. An integral
attachment loop at
the top. Back is flat
and undecorated.
Attractive reddish-
green patina.
Wearable.
Pendant bronze cross
with flaring arms ter-
minating in tear-
shaped projections at
the corners. Each
arm decorated with a
punched circle pat-
tern. An integral
attachment loop at
the top. Back is flat
and undecorated.
Smooth green patina.
Wearable.
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Byzantine24Pendant cross
Byzantine25Pendant cross
Pendant bronze cross
with two knobs deco-
rating the terminal of
each arm. Arms are
symmetrical, result-
ing in very pleasing
aesthetics. An empty
cavity at the center
of the cross once
held a stone or glass
inlay. A neatly
applied punched cir-
cle pattern decorates
the cross. The back
is flat and undecorat-
ed. An integral
attachment loop at
the top.
Circa 7th-10th Century AD
Height: 2 in. (5 cm)
Condition: Central inlay missing
but otherwise intact as shown.
Beautiful brown patina. Wearable.
Reference: See PRINCETON, #86,
for a related example in silver
now in the Princeton Art Museum.
Pendant bronze cross
with ornately
knobbed terminals on
each arm. A central
cavity once held a
stone or glass inlay,
the balance of the
cross decorated with
a punch and circle
pattern. The flat back
is undecorated. An
integral attachment
loop at the top.
Wearable.
Circa 7th-10th Century AD
Height: 2.35 in. (7.2 cm)
Condition: Intact as shown. Nice
patina.
Reference: See PRINCETON, #86,
for a related example in silver
now in the Princeton Art Museum.
76782 10-29:Cat44.qxd 10/29/2008 4:41 PM Page 21
Byzantine
Circa 6th-10th Century AD
Length: Range from 1 in. (2.5
cm) smallest to 1.5 in. (3.8 cm)
largest.
Condition: All intact as shown.
Background: Demand for pen-
dant crosses began to accelerate
in the 6th Century AD as people
sought to hang them suspended
from a cord around the neck as a
source of divine favor or blessing.
While bronze was most popular,
pendant crosses were made from
a variety of other materials includ-
ing bone, iron, silver, gold and
glass. They were used at every
level of society, especially during
the period of ‘Iconoclasm’ in the
8th - 9th Century AD when figural
depictions were forbidden by the
Orthodox Church. They are
among the most durable surviving
objects from the byzantine era and
thus provide a physical link to the
earliest days of the early Christian
period.
Reference: For (a), see TEMPLE
#60; for (b) see #449 in WALTERS;
for (c-h) see TEMPLE #63.
Selection of fine bronze solid-cast pendant crosses includ-
ing: (a) slender rounded-arm type (probably from
Constantinople) with original dark green paste in central
cavity; (b) rounded-arm type segmented central section
and stylized with acutely tapered arms; and (c-h) six vari-
ants of a well-known type, paticularly popular in Egypt and
Syria during the early Christian period, of simple pendant
cross with punched circle pattern with lengths that taper
toward the center. All with attachment loops intact and
wearable.
26 Pendant crosses
a
Reverse
d f h
c
b
e g
Obverse
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Byzantine28Buckle Plate with cross
Byzantine27enamelled Pendant crossCirca 8th-10th Century AD
Length: 1.8 in. (4.6 cm)
Condition: Intact as shown with
very attractive surface.
Reference: See PITARAKIS, #605,
for example with enameled cen-
tral cavity.
Fine, plain bronze pendant
cross with remains of a
red enamel circle at the
center enlivened with a
pattern of punched dots.
Three of the four arms
with a terminal pattern of
a row of punched dots
between vertical lines. At
the bottom a single
incised line. Flat backed,
with integral attachment
loop. Lovely patina.
Wearable.
Circa 7th-10th Century AD
Height: 1.5 in. (3.8 cm)
Condition: Intact, the fastening
pin lost in antiquity.
Reference: See TEMPLE no. 79
for near identical example of the
type.
Very fine bronze buckle
plate cast in the form of a
cross. It is decorated on
the front with punched
circle motif. Lovely pati-
na and attractive.
Byzantine29circular Stylized Fitting
Stylized solid cast bronze
fitting consisting of a
rounded ring with inte-
gral, flattened projection
terminating with a curved
arm at each side. Both
sides decorated with
punched circle pattern.
Circa 8th-12th Century AD
Height: 2.5 in. (6 cm)
Condition: Intact, excellent dark
chocolate patina.
76782 10-29:Cat44.qxd 10/29/2008 4:41 PM Page 23
Byzantine 30 Fine Openwork Phalera
Byzantine 31 Liturgical cross on chain
Wide-armed cross cut from a single
sheet of bronze with central raised cir-
cular boss. The cross is pierced at top
and bottom and attached to original
bronze chains. Most likely an attach-
ment from a liturgical object such as a
polycandelon, lamp, or incense burner.
Circa 6th -9th Century AD
Height: 6.75 in (17.1 cm) includ-
ing chain
Condition: Intact as shown
Background: The polycandelon
was a predecessor to the chande-
lier. It consisted of a large bronze
round plate, hanging from a small-
er bronze disc, which was sus-
pended on chains from the vault
or ceiling of a church.
This fine bronze
openwork cross
with equal, flaring
arms is cut out of a
circular disc to
which it is connect-
ed by slender pro-
jections at each of
the eight corners of
the cross. A punch
and circle pattern
decorates both
sides. The stub of a
projecting tongue,
used for attach-
ment, at the top.
Circa 8th-11th Century A.D.
Height: 1.8 in. (4.6 cm)
Condition: Intact as shown, top
of tang missing.
Reference: For a similar bronze
phalera in the Virginia Museum of
Fine Arts, see VMFA #97.
Background: The remains of the
projecting tang suggests that the
object may have been used as a
harness fitting, suspended from
the head or chest gear of horses.
76782 10-29:Cat44.qxd 10/29/2008 4:41 PM Page 24
Circa 9th-11th Century AD
Diameter: 1.7 in. (4.2 cm)
Condition: Intact as shown, with
small chip from right edge. The
incised features of the face worn.
Inscribed:
Η / ΠΟ / ΛΥ / Χ / ΡΟ / ΝΗ / Α
ἡ Πολυχρονήα = ἡ Πολυχρονία
Polychronia (female name: mean-
ing “many years”)
Background: Polychronia is the
mother of St. George. She became
a Christian without her husband’s
knowledge, then upon his death
returned to her native Palestine to
raise her son. George became
revered when, as a young adult,
he defied the Roman ruler
Diocletian at the start of the Great
Persecution (circa 304 AD).
Byzantine33Medallion with Polychronia
Important thin
bronze medallion
with incised ring
border and deco-
rated with an
embossed half-
length incised
portrait of a fig-
ure, probably
Polychronia. The
figure grasps an
incised robe with
the right hand
and holds the
open palm of the
left hand in prayer. A nimbus surrounds the figure’s head,
incised tresses of hair fall past the shoulder. Polychronia is
known as the mother of St. George and her name is syn-
onymous with the acclamation “God Grant Many Years.”
Byzantine32Medallion with Apostle
Circa 9th-11th Century AD
Diameter: 1.5 in. (3.8 cm)
Condition: Intact with excellent
patina.
Reference: See PRINCETON #62,
and GLORY #234 for the type.
Important solid
bronze medallion
with incised dot-
ted border and
decorated with a
superb half-
length incised
portrait of a
bearded Apostle,
his head encir-
cled with a nim-
bus. The Apostle
wears ornately
styled robes and
raises both
hands in prayer. Smooth, uninscribed back. Examples
known in the Princeton and Metropolitan Museums are
identified as St. Peter and St. John the Precursor.
76782 10-29:Cat44.qxd 10/29/2008 4:41 PM Page 25
Byzantine
Circa 8th-11th Century AD
Length: 7.3 in (18.5 cm)
Condition: Intact as shown.
Lamp lid and small upper section
of right handle lost. Superb dark
patina.
Reference: See BAILEY IV,
#Q3818 and Q3819 for two simi-
lar examples in the collection of
the British Museum.
Lamp with cross and Bird34
Heavy cast,
high-quality
bronze lamp
with rounded
elongated body
and long nozzle,
with flaring tip,
dished round the
circular wick-
hole. Raised,
molded rim
round the filling-
hole, stepped internally for the lost lamp lid with hinge
pieces to the rear. Elaborate double-rod handle at the rear,
curving up and forward, joining and separating, terminating
in an open-work decorative series of a bird surmounting
two loops atop a cross. The bottom of each handle where
it joins the body of the lamp is decorated with a well artic-
ulated face in profile on each side. Substantial raised base
ring with a square socket for the spike in the lamp stand.
76782 10-29:Cat44.qxd 10/29/2008 4:41 PM Page 26
Byzantine35Dual Lamp with insert
Circa 6th-11th Century AD
Length: 8 in. (20.3 cm)
Condition: Fine condition overall
with light encrustation and some
mottling of the patina. There are
tiny areas of loss near one wick-
hole and under the opposite noz-
zle. Otherwise, sturdy and attrac-
tive.
Reference: See BAILEY IV,
#Q3826 for a more elaborate
example of the type without the
inset.
Sizable, high-quality
bronze dual-wick hanging
lamp with circular body
set on a low integral ring
base. Each nozzle flares
outward with rounded
wick-hole decorated with circular knobs. A semi-circular
spine runs underneath the nozzle neck from side to side.
Two original bronze chains join the lamp to a double-loop
attachment ring. Inside the lamp, a small removable
bronze inset, perhaps an incense basket with bottom
pierced in antiquity with two holes, is made to rest within
an open underside. This type of free-standing insert make
this a scarce variant of a well-known form.
76782 10-29:Cat44.qxd 10/29/2008 4:41 PM Page 27
Byzantine
Circa 6th-11th Century AD
Diameter: 5.3 in (13.5 cm)
Condition: Intact with smooth
patina. Three tiny age fissures,
the largest being a 5mm hole to
the underside of one nozzle.
Seven Wick Bronze Lamp36
Charming, high-quali-
ty seven-wick solid
cast bronze hanging
lamp with three inte-
gral loops for attach-
ment to suspension
chain. The underside
terminates in a con-
cave footed pedestal
base. The center
with a circular filling
hole and raised rim.
Elegant shape.
37
Circa 5th-8th Century AD
Size: 1.4 in (3.5 cm)
Condition: Intact
Reference: For a discussion of
fish amulets, see SEPPHORIS, page
194. For two examples of
Byzantine fish amulets, see #335
and 354 in KUNST AUS ROM.
Background: Based on interpre-
tations of passages from Clement,
fish also symbolize the believer as
having been caught (that is,
saved) by the fisherman Jesus.
Early Byzantine Amuletic ‘Salvation’ Fish
Byzantine lead
amulet in the form of
a fish (perch or mul-
let), with articulated
eyes, gills, scales, fins
and bifurcated tail.
The Greek word for
fish, ichthus, was
interpreted as an
abbreviation for the phrase Iesous Christos Theou (H)uios
Soter, meaning “Jesus Christ, Son of God, Saviour.” Nice
detail and quite interesting.
76782 10-29:Cat44.qxd 10/29/2008 4:41 PM Page 28
39
Circa 5th-7th Century AD
Diameter: 0.86 in (2.2cm)
Condition: Slight abrasion as
shown, opposite side is excellent.
Reference: See ANTIOCH, pg 86,
for a discussion of gaming and
domestic entertainment.
Early Byzantinetoken with cross PatternSimple but wonderful circular
bone token or gaming counter
hand-carved identically on
both sides with alternating tri-
angular cavities and circular
punches that produced a cross
pattern regardless of how the
disc is rotated.
Early Byzantine
Circa 6th-8th Century AD
Length:
(a): 1.8 in. (4.6 cm)
(b): 1.3 in. (3.3 cm)
(c): 0.6 in. (1.5 cm)
Condition: Superb with sharp
inscriptions.
Reference: See EMPORIO, #115
for an identical example of (a)
along with a chart of weights and
values. Also see ANTIOCH, page
87-88 for a discussion of weights
in the early Byzantine period.
38cross-inscribed Weights
Three early Byzantine bronze square weights, two
inscribed with the Cross, a symbol that was used on
weights as an added mark of quality and honesty. The
largest of the weights, (a) depicts a large central cross
flanked on both sides by the Greek letter Γ (abbreviation for
the Greek oungia) and encircled within a wreath. At 79.95
grams, the weight represents the value of 3 early
Byzantine ounces, and is identical in weight and markings
to one found at Emporio in Chios in the 1950s by the
British School at Athens. Weight (b) at 26.6 grams repre-
sents the value of 1 ounce and is decorated with a wreath-
encircled cross flanked by the Greek letters Γ and Λ. An
additional small cross is used at each of the four corners.
Both weights are incised and originally inlaid with silver,
slight traces of which remains. Weight (c) is of a simpler
form with two circle punches on each side, probably indi-
cating a value of two nomisma.
76782 10-29:Cat44.qxd 10/29/2008 4:41 PM Page 29
41
Circa 5th-6th Century AD
Ring Size: 8.5 (18.6 mm)
Condition: Thin part of band
neatly repaired. Wear to bezel.
Inscribed:
VΓἸΑ (health)
Reference: See KALAVREZOU,
#126 for an identical example
now in the Walters Museum.
Background: The significance of
“health” is related to successful
conception and childbirth.
Early Byzantine christian Marriage ring
Early Christian bronze marriage ring engraved on the bezel
with the images of a husband and wide en buste flanking a
central cross. The iconography of early Christian marriage
closely evolves from and resembles the official imagery of
Roman imperial coins and art of this period.
Early Byzantine
Circa 5th-7th Century AD
Diameter: 4.9 in (12.5 cm)
Condition: Intact and overall
very crisp incised decoration with
legible inscriptions. Minor losses
at the edge as visible in photo.
Reference: See GALAVARIS #81
for the type. In his seminal work
on Bread and the Liturgy,
Galavaris dates this particular type
to the Early Byzantine Period (5th-
6th Century AD), and is most like-
ly from Coptic Egypt.
Background: Excavations at
Achmim-Panopolis have yielded a
large number of Christian stamps,
some of which have been identi-
fied as bread stamps; these have
found their way into various
museums and collections in Egypt
and in Europe. Others have been
unearthed in Palestine at impor-
tant early Christian sites. Asia
Minor and Constantinople have
also provided examples.
40 eucharistic Bread Mold
Eucharistic
bread mold
carved from
a single sec-
tion of wood.
The large cir-
cular front
side is
incised with
central cross
surmounted
at each right
angle with a
small bor-
dered square
enclosing a
Greek inscription including the abbreviated name of Jesus
Christ in three of the four squares. Triangular shapes deco-
rate each midpoint of the core design, forming arms of an
outer cross. Concentric rings decorate
the border. The reverse is smooth
and undecorated except for the flat
knob of the handle which is carved in
the shape of a square with inscriptions
divided into four smaller blocks with
Greek inscriptions. Extremely rare,
dating from the Early Byzantine Period.
76782 10-29:Cat44.qxd 10/29/2008 4:42 PM Page 30
Early Byzantine
Circa 4th-6th Century AD
Length: 17.7 in. (45 cm)
Condition: All but three beads
intact. Each bead subtly unique in
size and toning of the base silver.
Reference: See KUNST AUS
ROME, #278, for a related exam-
ple using an openwork granula-
tion technique to decorate the
border of an early Christian mirror.
Silver Beaded necklace 42
Very fine Byzantine necklace consisting of 79 silver cube-
shaped “beads” with openwork sides and solid top and bot-
tom where beads abut one another in succession. Each
bead clearly fashioned by hand using an unusual and
attractive granulation method, and pierced top and bottom
for attachment. The wear between beads suggests that the
necklace was worn and treasured over a long period of
time. The beads are held together on a modern string, and
could easily be refashioned with a modern chain into a
dramatic wearable necklace. A bold and exquisite exam-
ple of geometric art as jewelry.
Roman
Circa 2nd Century AD
Ring Size: 5 (15.6 mm)
Weight: 2.0 grams
Condition: Intact.
Reference: See JEWELLERY
STUDIES, p. 35, #5 and 6, for two
related examples in the British
Museum.
Gold ring with Stone 43
Superb intact gold finger
ring with original, ruddy-
colored unengraved stone,
perhaps cabochon garnet.
Plain, oval-sectioned hoop
expanding to wide shoul-
ders and an oval flattened
area centered with the
stone set in a round bezel.
76782 10-29:Cat44.qxd 10/29/2008 4:42 PM Page 31
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
Large Cross with Saints
Christ, Virgin and Stephen
Archistrategos and St. George
Unopened Reliquary Cross
Jesus Christ and Virgin
Mother of God
St. John and Panagia
Incised Figure and Cross
Large Processional Cross
Cross with Robed Figure
Cross with St. Stephen
Mary with Gospel Authors
Mary with Gospel Authors
Hinged Reliquary Cross
Mother of God
Raised Relief Crucifix
Heavy Cross with Christ
Large Pendant Cross
Uninscribed Enkolpion
Christ Nailed to Cross
Heavy Pendant Cross
Fine Openwork Phalera
Liturgical Cross on Chain
Medallion with Apostle
Medallion with Polychronia
Lamp with Cross and Bird
Dual Wick Lamp with Insert
Seven Wick Bronze Lamp
Amuletic Fish
Cross-Inscribed Weights
Token with Cross Pattern
Eucharistic Bread Mold
Christian Marriage Ring
Silver Necklace Beads
Gold Ring with Stone
30
31
32
33
34
35
36
37
38
39
40
41
42
43
ART FROM THE ANCIENT WORLD XLIV
Museum Quality Ancient Ar t
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
Pendant Cross
Pendant Cross
Pendant Cross
Pendant Cross
Pendant Cross Group
Pendant Cross
Buckle Plate with Cross
Circular Stylized Fitting
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
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