Rare Old Collection Antique 1700's Orthodox Catholic Collectible Cross .14

Description: Russian Orthodox Cross from the 18th Century (1700's) Size: 37.4 x 18.4 mm Great condition! Up for sale is an antique Orthodox Cross pendant with bale featuring traditional "Old Believers" ornate design with image of the three-bar Savior's Cross with the Instruments of the Passion over the skull (Adam's head), solid crown-shaped necklace bale, and words of Psalm 68 of David the King in Church Slavonic inscribed on the reverse. The Cross appears to have been made from bronze or similar copper alloy. Origin likely c.18th century Imperial Russia (according to the available catalogs describing similar findings; please see the last picture for a reference). The Cross shows signs of wear and old age such as visibly reduced quality of images and inscriptions, scratches, dents, deformations, and patina. The inside of the necklace bale is intact but shows signs of wear consistent with decades-long continuous use. The origin of the Cross is likely associated with the Pomorian community also known as "Pomortsy" founded in late 17th century in the Russian Northern region of Karelia on the banks of the Vyg river. The "Pomortsy" Old Believers soon became famous for their most beautiful, detailed cast copper artwork, such as Orthodox "body" crosses and icons, often decorated with enamels of various colors similar to those preserved on this Cross. Both sides of the Cross pendant are decorated with floral or vine ornaments symbolizing the life-giving nature of the Christian Cross, and also referring to the preaching of Christ: "I am the vine; you are the branches" (John 15:5). Another possible scriptural reference for this particular type of the "Old Believers" cross is Psalm 128 of David: "Your wife shall be as a fruitful vine...". The obverse of the cross pendant bears an image of the three-bar Suppedaneum cross surrounded with the Instruments of the Passion of Christ, such as the Holy Lance (spear) and the Holy Sponge attached to the end of a cane, several inscriptions made with Cyrillic letters, and a tiny image of the skull, or the Adam's head buried below the cross. 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. The Holy Lance and the Holy Sponge are the subjects of adoration together with the Cross, and are often depicted on the Orthodox crosses, creating an image of Calvary (Golgotha) with the three-bar cross and Adam's head. According to the "Old Believers'" tradition, the "INRI" inscription made by Pontius Pilate is considered profane or blasphemous, and is not inscribed in the nameplate part of the cross. Instead, the top end of the cross bears an abbreviation in Church Slavonic meaning "KING OF GLORY". The Kingship of Jesus is also symbolized by the shape of the necklace loop resembling the shape of a Byzantine-style crown. The side ends of the central horizontal crossbar bear inscriptions in Church Slavonic meaning "JESUS CHRIST (IC XC) SON OF GOD". A symbolic image of the skull, or Adam's head, buried below the image of the Suppedaneum cross refers to Golgotha (Calvary), the elevated site where Jesus was crucified, which the Bible says means "the place of the skull" in Hebrew. An ancient tradition of Catholic and Orthodox Churches held that it was also the burial place of Adam, thus also symbolizing the ultimate victory of Christ over sin and death. The reverse bears an abbreviated version of Psalm 68 in Church Slavonic beginning with "MAY GOD ARISE AND MAY HIS ENEMIES BE SCATTERED...". The words of the prayer are well preserved and identifiable. This psalm-based prayer is traditionally inscribed on the reverse of the Old Believers' Orthodox body (Baptism) cross pendants, meaning to provide protection of the faithful cross-bearer against the evil spirits (God's enemies), and thereby is considered a version of the Exorcism prayer. Thank you for your interest. Check my other auctions that I have on eBay now! Good luck!

Price: 39.99 USD

Location: Ashburn, Virginia

End Time: 2024-12-25T21:25:55.000Z

Shipping Cost: 5.5 USD