A BYZANTINE GOLD AND PINK SAPPHIRE PENDANT CROSS CIRCA 5TH-7TH CENTURY A.D.

拍品描述

A BYZANTINE GOLD AND PINK SAPPHIRE PENDANT CROSS CIRCA 5TH-7TH CENTURY A.D. Worked in gold and set with a central pink sapphire, this Byzantine pendant cross is of compact but carefully balanced form. The four arms broaden gently towards squared terminals, giving the piece a clear and stable outline. A ribbed suspension loop rises from the top, indicating its use as a pendant, while the warm gold surface provides a restrained setting for the vivid colour of the central stone. The decoration is simple and well ordered. At the crossing point is an oval cabochon pink sapphire, held in a raised gold setting and encircled by a border of small granules. Further granulated ornaments appear on each arm: diamond-shaped clusters on the vertical arms and smaller floral clusters on the horizontal arms. These details enliven the otherwise plain sheet-gold surface, creating a measured contrast between the smooth body of the cross, the beaded goldwork, and the polished gemstone. The pendant would have been worn suspended from the loop, probably on a chain or cord, as a personal object of Christian devotion. In the Byzantine world, the cross was both a sign of faith and a protective emblem, worn close to the body and often made in precious materials. The central pink sapphire gives the object a strong focal point, its colour drawing attention to the centre of the cross while reinforcing the pendant’s status as a carefully made personal jewel. Dating to circa the 5th to 7th century A.D., this cross belongs to a period in which Christian imagery became central to Byzantine personal adornment. Its design is direct and legible, relying on the strength of the cross form, the value of gold, and the controlled use of granulation and a single coloured stone. The result is an object that is devotional in purpose but also refined in its workmanship. With its clear form, restrained gold decoration, and central pink sapphire, this pendant cross is a finely composed example of early Byzantine Christian jewellery. Length: 3.6 cm Width: 2.6 cm Weight: 4 g

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