PROVENANCE: Constantinople (Ancient Turkey), 9th Century A.D.

SIZE/DIMENSIONS:

Height: 50 millimeters.

Breadth: 35 millimeters.

Thickness: 2 millimeters (quite heavy and substantial).

Weight: 10.87 grams. Chain: Contemporary bronze tone chain 48 centimeters (18 inches); contemporary split ring.

CONDITION: Exceptional! Completely intact. No significant porosity (surface pitting caused by contact with earth while buried). Very fine finish. Professionally conserved.

DETAIL: A superbly preserved bronze cross pendant of 9th century A.D. Byzantine origin. The cross is entirely intact with no cracks, chips, or other defects. The specimen is well-detailed, and is considerably larger than the typical specimen offered on Ebay. It is of substantial construction, and the suspension loop is entirely intact. We had to add a split contemporary split ring so as to allow it to be mounted onto a chain. It is offered complete with the (contemporary) bronze-tone chain which will darken when worn so as to match the pendant. This is truly a significant relic representing the very foundations of the early Christian Church and the spread of Christianity through Europe.

HISTORY: Prior to the fifth century collapse of the Western Roman Empire, one of Rome's greatest emperors, Constantine the Great, established a second capital city for the Roman Empire in the East at Byzantium, present day Turkey. Established as the new capital city for the Eastern Roman Empire in the fourth century, Constantine named the city in his own honor, "Constantinople". After the collapse of the Western Roman Empire, the Eastern Roman Empire, the "Byzantine Empire", lasted for another thousand years as the cultural, religious and economic center of Eastern Europe. At the same time, as a consequence of the fall of the Western Roman Empire, most of the rest of Europe suffered through one thousand years of the "dark ages".

The Christian Church eventually became the major political force in the Byzantine Empire. In Byzantine art, God rather than man stood at the center of the universe. Constantine the Great is also credited with being the first Christian Roman Emperor, and was eventually canonized by the Orthodox Church. Christianity had of course been generally outlawed prior to his reign. Under the Byzantine Empire, Christianity became more than just a faith, it was the theme of the entire empire, it's politics, and the very meaning of life. Christianity formed an all-encompassing way of life, and the influence of the Byzantine Empire reached far both in terms of time and geography, certainly a predominant influence in all of Europe up until the Protestant Reformation. By the fifth century the cross came to represent the crucifixion and the promise of salvation and everlasting life, and a cross pendant such as this was worn by virtually every citizen of the empire, from pauper to emperor.

The antiquities offered were originally part of a collection accumulated throughout most of the twentieth century. The Roman artifacts were found principally in Romania (literally "land of the Romans"), Bulgaria, and Syria. The Sumerian artifacts were unearthed in both Turkey and Syria, which along with Iraq and Iran constituted the majority of the sites of the ancient Sumerian civilizations. The Egyptian antiquities were part of a collection amassed in the mid-1960's, at the height of Soviet influence in Egypt. As well, additional specimens are occasionally acquired from other institutions and dealers in Eastern Europe and the Eastern Mediterranean.

SHIPPING: These antiquities come from a number of collections which by and large originated here in Eastern Europe. As well, additional specimens are occasionally acquired from other institutions and dealers, principally in Eastern Europe and the Eastern Mediterranean. All of these artifacts are now in the United States and are available for immediate delivery via U.S. Mail. All purchases are backed by an unlimited guarantee of satisfaction and authenticity. If for any reason you are not entirely satisfied with your purchase, you may return it for a complete and immediate refund of your entire purchase price. A certificate of authenticity (COA) is available upon request.

Our order fulfillment center near Seattle, Washington will ship your purchase within one business day of receipt of your personal check or money order. If you wish to pay electronically, we accept both PayPal and BidPay. However we ask that you PLEASE WAIT before remitting until we have mutually agreed upon method of shipment and shipping charges and you understand our PayPal limitations and policies (stated here). We will ship within one business day of our receipt of your electronic remittance.

A certificate of authenticity (COA) is available upon request. We prefer your personal check or money order over any other form of payment - and we will ship immediately upon receipt of your check (no "holds"). Please see our "ADDITIONAL TERMS OF SALE."