CIRCA 6TH-7TH CENTURY A.D.

Details

A BYZANTINE GOLD, NIELLO AND GARNET CROSS
CIRCA 6TH-7TH CENTURY A.D.
1 ½ in. (4 cm.) high

Provenance

Madame Francine Arturner, Brussels, gifted to her by her father in 1951.
Havanjian collection, Holland, prior to 1980.
V. K. Abraham collection, Vienna, acquired from the above.

Sale room notice

Please note that the date given for this lot in the printed catalogue is incorrect. It should in fact read: CIRCA 6TH-7TH CENTURY A.D.
Christies.com shows the correct date.

Conditions of sale

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Claudio Corsi Specialist, Head of Department

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Lot Essay

The arms each tapering toward the cruciform central element with a bezel set garnet, the arms themsevles decroated in niello with Christ above, two angels bent in adoration and the Virgin with arms raised under her robes. The reverse with a Greek inscription in niello, reading Holy Holy Holy, Lord of Hosts. “Lord of hosts” occurs some 261 times in the Old Testament Scriptures and is one of seven names for God that the Old Testament specifically states to be names of God.

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