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Identification and Creation

Object Number
2003.254
Title
Pendant Cross
Classification
Jewelry
Work Type
pendant
Date
6th-13th century or later
Places
Creation Place: Ancient & Byzantine World
Period
Byzantine period
Culture
Byzantine
Persistent Link
https://hvrd.art/o/71916

Physical Descriptions

Medium
Copper alloy
Technique
Cast, lost-wax process
Dimensions
3.7 x 2.6 x 0.2 cm (1 7/16 x 1 x 1/16 in.)
Technical Details

Technical Observations: The patina of the crosses (2003.254, 2003.255, 2003.256, 2003.257, 2003.258, and 2003.259) is light green mixed with dirt over black. Although the color would seem to indicate burial, acetone dissolves the binder holding the green and dirt layers in place. The applied modern coloration and dirt, which is identical on all six objects, give the impression that they are fakes. The underlying surfaces are also in very good condition and show no obvious signs of age.

The crosses appear to have been modeled directly in wax. The edges of the crosses were cleaned up with a file after casting.


Henry Lie (submitted 2005)

Acquisition and Rights

Credit Line
Harvard Art Museums/Arthur M. Sackler Museum, Gift of Carol Hebb and Alan Feldbaum
Accession Year
2003
Object Number
2003.254
Division
Asian and Mediterranean Art
Contact
am_asianmediterranean@harvard.edu
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Descriptions

Published Catalogue Text: Ancient Mediterranean and Near Eastern Bronzes at the Harvard Art Museums
The small pendant cross has an intact vertical loop. This cross is identical to 2003.258 and was probably cast from the same mold. Incised circular decorations in each arm and at center of the cross are visible but very faint. The bottom of the cross has a small area that appears to have been broken—perhaps a casting flaw or flaw in the mold, as it is also seen on 2003.258. As with other Byzantine crosses, the ends of the transverse arms are more curved than the vertical arms. The back is featureless.

Comparable copper alloy pendant crosses are known from Byzantine contexts (1). Based on excavated examples, the crosses would have been worn as elements in necklaces, especially by women (2).

NOTES:

1. S. D. Campbell, The Malcove Collection: A Catalogue of the Objects in the Lillian Malcove Collection of the University of Toronto (Toronto, 1985) 113, nos. 142-48; and E. A. Khairedinova, “Early Medieval Crosses from the South-Western Crimea,” in Byzantine Small Finds in Archaeological Contexts, eds. B. Böhlendorf-Arslan and A. Ricci, BYZAS 15 (Istanbul, 2012) 417-440, esp. 426-27, type 3, fig. 2.23 and 26.

2. Khairedinova 2012 (supra 1) 431-38.


Lisa M. Anderson

Subjects and Contexts

  • Ancient Bronzes

Related Works

Verification Level

This record has been reviewed by the curatorial staff but may be incomplete. Our records are frequently revised and enhanced. For more information please contact the Division of Asian and Mediterranean Art at am_asianmediterranean@harvard.edu