A Very Rare Medieval Cross Pendant, Russian, circa 1550. Image courtesy Romanov Russia.

This large gilded silver and enamel eight pointed cross pendant is from the reign of Czar Ivan the Terrible (1530-1584). The cross is covered with a thick layer of gold and embellished with green and blue enamel in Byzantine tradition. Size – 62 x 40 mm ( 2 7/16 x 1 5/8 in.). Weight – 27,4 g. Price: $7,900

Russian Orthodox cross is traditionally eight pointed as opposed to the four pointed Western cross. The two additional bars at the top and bottom of the central beam of the cross make the cross eight pointed. The bar on the upper arm of the cross, is the title board which Pilate ordered to be hung in mockery over Christ’s head. The board was inscribed: “Jesus of Nazareth, King of the Jews”. The lower bar is the foot brace. It is slanted to remind us that the Church likens the Cross to be a “balance-beam of righteousness.” The left and right arms of the cross are engraved with Cyrillic abbreviation for Jesus Christ. The lower arm of the cross is engraved with Mount Golgotha.

In the 16th century, Russia didn’t have its own sources of silver and gold, precious metals were imported from Europe and were scarce and expensive. It is rare to see medieval Russian crosses of this size and weight.

Romanov Russia.