Bronze pectoral cross-reliquary

The bronze pectoral cross-reliquary has St George on one face, as the misspelled inscription on the upper part of the vertical arm also states: ΓΕΟΡΓΗΟΣ [GEORGEOS]. He is portrayed orans and haloed, dressed in courtly attire. His engraved figure is obviously simplified and schematic. On the other face of the cross, the depiction of the Virgin with Christ, in the type of the Nikopoios, has been achieved by means of a similar technique. Crosses of this type also served as reliquaries and were common between the 10th and 12th centuries. Judging from the materials from which they are made and the rudimentary rendering of the figures, they would seem to have been worn by ordinary people and by soldiers. Crosses served as amulets, and the large number that have come down to us would indicate they were in widespread use among the Empire’s subjects.

PUBLICATION
Brouskari M. 2007. Catalogue no. 75, in Skampavias K.—Chatzidakis N. (eds), Paul and Alexandra Canellopoulos Museum. Byzantine and Post-Byzantine Art, Athens, 82.