Early medieval Bronze Reliquary Cross - 37 mm
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Selected by Peter Reynaers
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Estimate € 330 - € 400
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Reliquary Cross, an Early Medieval bronze pendant (enkolpion) dating to the 8th–10th century, about 37 mm high, in good condition, acquired from Veilinghuis in the Netherlands.
AI-assisted summary
Description from the seller
"Early Medieval Bronze Reliquary Cross
Culture / Period: Early Medieval
Date / Period: 8th–10th century A.D.
Material: Bronze
Dimensions: 37 mm
Condition: Good condition
No shipping outside the European Union. Due to complex export regulations concerning cultural goods, this item cannot be shipped outside the EU. Please ensure you have a delivery address within the European Union before placing a bid.
Provenance information:
Object Registration ID: 735
The current owner purchased this object from a reputable Dutch numismatic auction house in Schiedam, the Netherlands. Due to privacy regulations, the name of the previous owner could not be disclosed. No further information concerning the earlier ownership history of the object was available from the previous owner.
Background Information:
This cast bronze cross is a small reliquary pendant (enkolpion), created with a hollow interior intended to contain a tiny relic or other sacred devotional material. Such crosses were worn around the neck by clergy, pilgrims, monks, and lay believers as visible expressions of Christian faith and as objects of personal protection.
The present example remains closed, with its original construction still intact. As the reliquary has not been opened, it is possible that its original contents remain preserved within the hollow interior. However, without opening the pendant or undertaking non-invasive examination, such as radiographic imaging, the presence of a relic cannot be confirmed. Accordingly, any original contents must be regarded as unverified.
Reliquary crosses became increasingly widespread during the Early Medieval period as Christianity spread across Europe. They were produced by skilled bronze workers using established casting techniques and were designed to safeguard minute relics associated with saints, holy places, or other devotional materials. These pendants combined religious symbolism with a practical function, allowing believers to carry sacred objects with them in everyday life.
Dating to the 8th–10th century A.D., this reliquary cross belongs to a period when personal devotional objects played an important role in Christian worship and identity. It forms a tangible connection to the medieval world, where crosses of this kind expressed personal faith while preserving sacred relics within their carefully crafted interiors."
"Early Medieval Bronze Reliquary Cross
Culture / Period: Early Medieval
Date / Period: 8th–10th century A.D.
Material: Bronze
Dimensions: 37 mm
Condition: Good condition
No shipping outside the European Union. Due to complex export regulations concerning cultural goods, this item cannot be shipped outside the EU. Please ensure you have a delivery address within the European Union before placing a bid.
Provenance information:
Object Registration ID: 735
The current owner purchased this object from a reputable Dutch numismatic auction house in Schiedam, the Netherlands. Due to privacy regulations, the name of the previous owner could not be disclosed. No further information concerning the earlier ownership history of the object was available from the previous owner.
Background Information:
This cast bronze cross is a small reliquary pendant (enkolpion), created with a hollow interior intended to contain a tiny relic or other sacred devotional material. Such crosses were worn around the neck by clergy, pilgrims, monks, and lay believers as visible expressions of Christian faith and as objects of personal protection.
The present example remains closed, with its original construction still intact. As the reliquary has not been opened, it is possible that its original contents remain preserved within the hollow interior. However, without opening the pendant or undertaking non-invasive examination, such as radiographic imaging, the presence of a relic cannot be confirmed. Accordingly, any original contents must be regarded as unverified.
Reliquary crosses became increasingly widespread during the Early Medieval period as Christianity spread across Europe. They were produced by skilled bronze workers using established casting techniques and were designed to safeguard minute relics associated with saints, holy places, or other devotional materials. These pendants combined religious symbolism with a practical function, allowing believers to carry sacred objects with them in everyday life.
Dating to the 8th–10th century A.D., this reliquary cross belongs to a period when personal devotional objects played an important role in Christian worship and identity. It forms a tangible connection to the medieval world, where crosses of this kind expressed personal faith while preserving sacred relics within their carefully crafted interiors."
Details
Culture
Early medieval
Century/timeframe
8th-10th century
Name of object
Reliquary Cross
Acquired from
Auction house
Year acquired
2026
Material
Bronze
Country acquired from
Netherlands
Condition
Good
Previous owner acquired from
Auction house
Height
37 mm
Previous owner - year acquired
1990
Previous owner - country acquired from
Netherlands
I verify that I have obtained this object legally and that I am allowed to sell it
Yes
Authenticity
Original/official
Sold by
Disclaimer
The seller was informed by Catawiki about documentation requirements and guarantees the following: - the object was legally obtained, - the seller has the right to sell and/or export the object, as relevant, - the seller will provide the necessary provenance information and arrange required documentation and permits/licenses, as applicable and as per local laws, - the seller will notify the buyer of any delays in obtaining permits/licenses. By bidding, you acknowledge that import documentation may be required depending on your country of residence and that obtaining permits/licenses may cause delays in the delivery of your object.
The seller was informed by Catawiki about documentation requirements and guarantees the following: - the object was legally obtained, - the seller has the right to sell and/or export the object, as relevant, - the seller will provide the necessary provenance information and arrange required documentation and permits/licenses, as applicable and as per local laws, - the seller will notify the buyer of any delays in obtaining permits/licenses. By bidding, you acknowledge that import documentation may be required depending on your country of residence and that obtaining permits/licenses may cause delays in the delivery of your object.
