Ancient Bronze Byzantine Medieval Cross With Virgin Mary Mounted in THICK 18K

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Ancient Bronze Byzantine Medieval Cross With Virgin Mary Mounted in THICK 18K:
$2235.00

Introduction:

Flawless Ancient Bronze Byzantine Medieval Cross With Virgin Mary Exquisitely Mounted in 18K Gold.

The Byzantine History:

During the Byzantine era, (9th to 12th Century) devout Christians modeled crosses from bronze as an act of piety and reverence. Their faith in God gave birth to beautiful vestiges of their devotion.

In AD 324, the first Christian Roman Emperor, Constantine the Great, transferred the Eastern Roman Empire capital to Byzantium, which became Constantinople. The Byzantine Empire was ruled by emperors in direct succession to the ancient Roman Emperors. With the eventual decline of Rome, the Church of Constantinople became the richest and most influential center of the Christian world.

Over the centuries, the Byzantines, who still referred to themselves as Romans, fought to shield Europe from Muslim expansion and also preserved much of the literary works and scientific knowledge of ancient Greece and Rome. The empire was one of the most powerful economic, cultural and military forces in Europe and Asia Minor. It existed for more than 1,000 years, until 1453. The art of bronze casting was preserved in the Byzantine Empire. The fusion of antique and Eastern elements resulted in the Byzantine style. Many objects are still held in various European treasuries, which were enriched by the spoils of the sack of Constantinople.

The Cross:

Hand forged during the infancy of Christianity, this relic, which was found in Bethlehem, depicts the sacred and hallowed Virgin Mary. Her hands are outstretched in a position to embrace. The Virgin Mary will bless and protect all whom revere her.

The Virgin Mary, known as the Theotokos in Greek terminology, was central to Byzantine spirituality as one of its most important religious figures of the time. As the mediator between suffering mankind and Christ, and the protectress of Constantinople, she was widely venerated. The Virgin was worshipped as the Bride of Christ, Personification of the Church, Queen of Heaven, and Intercessor for the salvation of humankind.

This one of a kind ancient and blessed cross was surely worn by a Byzantine citizen or priest as a statement of faith during the beautiful age of early Christendom. The bronze image is smooth to the touch and beautifully bears the centuries it has survived. The cross itself, so meticulously preserved, brings with it the power of the many faithful whom have crossed its path, outliving all those who admired and cherished it through the ages.

The 18K Gold Mount:

Designed by the renowned Barakat Galleries, this unique and ancient cross is embedded in two layers of exquisite 18K gold. The attention to detail in the beautifully- imagined and executed mount is extraordinary. The 18K gold bale is large enough to fit any chain, and in addition has an open and close clasp which facilitates moving the piece from one chain to another. The mount is distinctive in that it is an artwork itself, with a patterned back and elevated edges. It is a heavy piece which belies it’s size, the result of the thick gold bed which holds the ancient relic. The back of the mount bears the “18K” gold stamp.

The Certificate of Authenticity:

This piece was purchased in the mid 1990s directly from Fayez Barakat at the Barakat Gallery on Rodeo Drive in Beverly Hills. The original Certificate of Authenticity bears Fayez Barakat’s signature and letterhead. It is identified as:

“Bronze Byzantine Cross mounted in 18K Gold

600-900 AD

Found in Bethlehem”

The certificate also enclosed a brief paragraph descriptor of the Byzantine Era and the Cross itself.

Measurements:

Weight: 21 grams

Length: 5.3 centimeters

Width: 2.8 centimeters across

Thickness: 6 millimeters.