Bidspirit auction | BYZANTINE GOLD CROSS PENDANT WITH

BYZANTINE GOLD CROSS PENDANT WITH CENTRAL OVAL GARNET CABOCHON AND FILIGREE - Ca. AD 500 - 700.A splendid Byzantine gold pendant, adorned with a large garnet cabochon in the centre. The arms are decorated with an intricate border formed with geometric motifs, made with twisted rope-shaped threads. A loop is attached to the top of the pendant. The cross became a widespread religious symbol during the Byzantine Empire. This gold pendant was most likely created for an upper class individual, to display their wealth and religious devotion. For similar see: Byzantium and the West, Jewelry in the first Millennium, n. 14.Size: 43mm x 22mm; Weight: 4gProvenance: Private collection of an Oxford professional, formed in the 1970s-1990s on the UK art market. This item has been cleared against the Art Loss Register database and comes with a confirmation letter.