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Lot Essay
The high quality of workmanship and materials suggests that this cross was produced in an Imperial workshop in Constantinople. The emeralds are of the best type imported from Egypt. The spinel is likely from Ceylon or Madagascar. The pearls are natural seed pearls most likely from the Gulf or India.
For a similar spinel (although published as a garnet) in a gold ring from the Treasure of Domagnano, now in the British Museum, see p. 304 in Aillagon, ed, Rome and the Barbarians. For similarly strung pearls framing cabochon emerald necklace links, see no. 490 in Wamser, Die Welt von Byzanz - Europas Östliches Erbe, and for the same treatment on a bracelet, see pl. XLIX in Dennison and Morey, Studies in East Christian and Roman Art.
For a similar spinel (although published as a garnet) in a gold ring from the Treasure of Domagnano, now in the British Museum, see p. 304 in Aillagon, ed, Rome and the Barbarians. For similarly strung pearls framing cabochon emerald necklace links, see no. 490 in Wamser, Die Welt von Byzanz - Europas Östliches Erbe, and for the same treatment on a bracelet, see pl. XLIX in Dennison and Morey, Studies in East Christian and Roman Art.