RARE ANTIQUE 15 - 17th CENTURY ORTHODOX SWORD - SHAPED CROSS With CROWN OF THORNS
Item History & Price
| Reference Number: Avaluer:30602362 | Country/Region of Manufacture: Unknown |
| Featured Refinements: Orthodox Cross | Material: Bronze or similar copper alloy |
Beautifully preserved, authentic Orthodox "Old Believers" Cross pendant featuring medieval sword-shaped design with the Crown of Thorns in the centerpiece. Antique condition; slightly deformed (bent) and worn off according to its age, with small superficial dents and scratches. Cast from bronze or similar copper alloy, covered with beautiful original uncleaned green- to gray patina. Origin likely c. 15th-17th century Tsardom of Russia. The size of the pendant is shown on the photograph...s. Authentic antique symbol of Orthodox Christian faith.
The shape of the cross is similar to the Russian Orthodox crosses dated 15-16th century that are "sword"-shaped. In the Western Europe, such a shape of crucifixes and crosses was popular in the medieval period because of the Crusades. In a more general context of the Gospels, a sword-shaped cross refers to the preaching of Christ: "I came not to bring peace, but a sword" (Matthew 10:34), and "...if you don't have a sword, sell your cloak and buy one." (Luke 22:36).
The obverse of the cross pendant bears an image of the three-bar Suppedaneum cross flanked with the two Instruments of the Passion of Christ, the Holy Lance (spear) and the Holy Sponge attached to the end of a cane, and several inscriptions made with Cyrillic letters. The Byzantine three-bar cross is venerated in the Orthodox and some Eastern Catholic churches. Such a cross has three horizontal crossbeams: the top one represents the "INRI" nameplate, and the bottom one, a footrest. The footrest crossbeam is depicted pointing up, toward Heaven, on Christ's right hand side where the Penitent thief, St. Dismas was crucified.
There is a symbolic image of the Crown of Thorns, or a wreath, in the centerpiece making it similar to the Sun circle in the middle of a Celtic Cross, or a Solar Cross. The Crown or a wreath on the cross usually means that suffering or bearing the Cross of those who believe in Christ is ultimately rewarded by a crown of the eternal life in His Heavenly Kingdom. Accordingly, the top "boxed" end of the vertical crossbar of the pendant bears abbreviated inscription in Church Slavonic meaning "KING OF GLORY" used in the Eastern Orthodox pectoral crosses as a nameplate in their top part.
The side "boxed" ends of the central horizontal crossbar bear the Sacred Name of Jesus as the "IC XC" Greek Christogram, depicted as "IC" on the left and "XC" on the right. In the bottom "boxed" end of the vertical crossbar, there is an abbreviated "NIKA" ("VICTORY") inscription made in Cyrillic letters as "НИК", a symbol of Christ's victory over sin and death, the redemption of humankind and reclaiming of the lost paradise. The letters of the inscription are mildly worn out and difficult to identify.
Please examine all photographs carefully and do your own research if necessary. Please note that photographs are an important part of the item's description. The U.S. quarter coin, decorative stone and a measuring meter are not for sale, and are photographed with the item in order to provide a size reference, and artistic background. Please ask all questions before making a purchase. There are no guarantees with the listing because most items are original vintage or antique objects that are quite old. All items are sold "as is" with no returns because of a change of mind offered. Shipping and handling is free for the continental US. International buyers, please ask me for a shipping quote prior to buying. Please note that customs regulations differ from country to country, and it is a buyer's responsibility to ensure that any customs fees or other duties collected by the buyer's country are paid and satisfied in full.
The shape of the cross is similar to the Russian Orthodox crosses dated 15-16th century that are "sword"-shaped. In the Western Europe, such a shape of crucifixes and crosses was popular in the medieval period because of the Crusades. In a more general context of the Gospels, a sword-shaped cross refers to the preaching of Christ: "I came not to bring peace, but a sword" (Matthew 10:34), and "...if you don't have a sword, sell your cloak and buy one." (Luke 22:36).
The obverse of the cross pendant bears an image of the three-bar Suppedaneum cross flanked with the two Instruments of the Passion of Christ, the Holy Lance (spear) and the Holy Sponge attached to the end of a cane, and several inscriptions made with Cyrillic letters. The Byzantine three-bar cross is venerated in the Orthodox and some Eastern Catholic churches. Such a cross has three horizontal crossbeams: the top one represents the "INRI" nameplate, and the bottom one, a footrest. The footrest crossbeam is depicted pointing up, toward Heaven, on Christ's right hand side where the Penitent thief, St. Dismas was crucified.
There is a symbolic image of the Crown of Thorns, or a wreath, in the centerpiece making it similar to the Sun circle in the middle of a Celtic Cross, or a Solar Cross. The Crown or a wreath on the cross usually means that suffering or bearing the Cross of those who believe in Christ is ultimately rewarded by a crown of the eternal life in His Heavenly Kingdom. Accordingly, the top "boxed" end of the vertical crossbar of the pendant bears abbreviated inscription in Church Slavonic meaning "KING OF GLORY" used in the Eastern Orthodox pectoral crosses as a nameplate in their top part.
The side "boxed" ends of the central horizontal crossbar bear the Sacred Name of Jesus as the "IC XC" Greek Christogram, depicted as "IC" on the left and "XC" on the right. In the bottom "boxed" end of the vertical crossbar, there is an abbreviated "NIKA" ("VICTORY") inscription made in Cyrillic letters as "НИК", a symbol of Christ's victory over sin and death, the redemption of humankind and reclaiming of the lost paradise. The letters of the inscription are mildly worn out and difficult to identify.
Please examine all photographs carefully and do your own research if necessary. Please note that photographs are an important part of the item's description. The U.S. quarter coin, decorative stone and a measuring meter are not for sale, and are photographed with the item in order to provide a size reference, and artistic background. Please ask all questions before making a purchase. There are no guarantees with the listing because most items are original vintage or antique objects that are quite old. All items are sold "as is" with no returns because of a change of mind offered. Shipping and handling is free for the continental US. International buyers, please ask me for a shipping quote prior to buying. Please note that customs regulations differ from country to country, and it is a buyer's responsibility to ensure that any customs fees or other duties collected by the buyer's country are paid and satisfied in full.
