ANCIENT CHRISTIAN ROMAN LEAD CROSS PENDANT FROM THE BYZANTINE EMPIRE

7th - 11th Century A.D.

This intact ancient lead cross dates back to the 7th to 11th centuries A.D. and was worn by a Christian soldier in the Roman Empire.  It was found on an ancient battlefield site in the Balkans and has survived in wonderful preservation.  Heavy ivory white lead patina covers the entire surface as a testament to its age.  Design is a beautiful double-row beaded decoration over front surface.  There is a single original hole for suspension at the top through which, we have added a sterling silver ring to make this cross ready to wear on a chain.  Any local jeweler can change the ring to gold, if desired.  Solid and wearable.  Lead crosses seem to be in scarcer numbers than bronze and decorated ones even more so, making this artifact an interesting example. 
 

In the Byzantine Period which lasted from the 5th century AD to the fall of Constantinople in the 15th century, the Roman Empire and Christianity were completely interwoven.  It was the quintessential example of the UNION of church and state.  The classic architecture, style of dress, and overall appearance of all that was "Roman" took on a new and intricate style that the world has never seen before or has ever since been repeated.  Roman Byzantine culture was an eclectic and yet, harmonious religious blend of the Orient with the West.  This was not only attributed to the influence of the capitol's new geographic location, but also to the foremost prominence of Christianity in the Roman world.  It is during the Byzantine Period that we have the first major introduction of CHRISTIAN JEWELRY to the world!  

The cross came to symbolize the basic Christian concepts:  Incarnation, Atonement and the Resurrection.  It was believed the crosses possessed hidden healing strength and guaranteed salvation of the soul!  Many objects in antiquity, both everyday items as well as those for holy rituals, abounded in Christian imagery.  Some examples of this imagery that were used with Christian significance besides the cross were the Chi-Ro symbol, the fish, angels, a starburst and abbreviated inscriptions in Greek (the language used for religious writings and coinage) which translated to "In Christ, Victory" or "Jesus Christ, King of Kings".

The Christian jewelry of the ancient world always reflected the humility that Christ preached.  Stunning bejeweled adornments were left to the high priests only while performing rituals.  The Christian jewelry worn by all believers in antiquity was that of very crude and simplistic design, only very rarely in precious metal.  The crosses of the Byzantine Period were predominantly bronze and sometimes lead.  The art style was highly stylized, typical for the Byzantine culture.  Depictions of Christ and Mary most often appear quite cartoon-like in the imagery on the Christian jewelry and coinage.  Since many of the Byzantine coins had religious inscriptions and images of Jesus and occasionally Mary, coins are sometimes found with holes punched through them having been used as a pendant in ancient times by an early believer.

In the later Medieval Era and Dark Ages, Christian jewelry maintained this humility in both overall design and manufacture with an increase in the use of silver but a continuance in the use of bronze, copper and lead.  Imagery became more refined and detailed.  Pilgrim badges were often worn by believers in these times if they had the grand opportunity to visit the Holy city of Jerusalem.  

An excellent (and wearable!) genuine antiquity from the earliest period of Christian jewelry.

1.25" in overall height.  Solid and safe to wear.

ACJ001     SOLD     COMES WITH A CERTIFICATE OF AUTHENTICITY / HISTORY SHEET

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