Medieval, Crusaders Era Bronze Amulet, Cross pendant, Exceptionally Miniature Byzantine Bronze Pectoral Cross with Elaborate Relief Decoration — Crusader, Talisman - 20 mm (No reserve price)
00
days
01
hour
00
minutes
12
seconds
Current bid
€ 16
No reserve price
Expert
Selected by Ruth Garrido Vila
Directed the Ifergan Collection Museum, specialising in Phoenician and Mediterranean archaeology.
Estimate € 150 - € 200
 | €16 | |
|---|---|---|
 | €13 | |
| €10 | |
Catawiki Buyer Protection
Your payment’s safe with us until you receive your object.View details
Trustpilot 4.4 | 142645 reviews
Rated Excellent on Trustpilot.
A remarkably miniature Byzantine bronze pectoral cross from the Crusader Era (11th–13th century), measuring 20 × 14 mm and weighing 1.1 g, with raised decorative elements, authentic original provenance, acquired in 2023 from Germany, with a leather cord included.
AI-assisted summary
Description from the seller
An unusual miniature Byzantine-tradition bronze pectoral cross, belonging to the medieval Christian world of the Crusader era and dating approximately to the 11th–13th century.
Measuring only 20 × 14 mm and weighing just 1.1 g, this is a remarkably compact devotional object. Despite its tiny dimensions, the cross displays an unexpectedly elaborate and visually rich design.
Its surface is enhanced by numerous raised geometric and moulded elements, concentrated around the centre, lateral arms and lower terminal. The result is a tiny object with an almost jewel-like architectural quality.
Only 20 Millimetres — Remarkable Detail
The most striking characteristic of this cross is the contrast between its miniature scale and the complexity of its decoration.
The central section carries pronounced relief elements arranged into a dense composition. Additional projections continue symmetrically along the horizontal arms, creating a rhythmic ornamental silhouette.
The lower arm expands into a decorated terminal with further raised details, while the upper section rises dramatically into a long, narrowing suspension element.
This contrast between the slender upper section and richly modelled body gives the cross an immediately recognizable profile.
A Personal Cross of a Medieval Christian
Small pectoral crosses occupied an important place within the devotional culture of Byzantium and the surrounding Christian territories.
Unlike monumental or liturgical crosses, these objects belonged to individuals.
They could be worn directly upon the body, either concealed beneath clothing or displayed visibly. At only 1.1 grams, this example was exceptionally suitable for continuous everyday wear.
Such an object could accompany its owner through ordinary life, travel and pilgrimage.
Byzantium and the Crusader Era
The 11th–13th centuries witnessed profound changes throughout the eastern Mediterranean.
The Byzantine world interacted with Western Crusaders, merchants, pilgrims and the diverse peoples of the East. Along these routes travelled not only people and goods, but also artistic traditions and small objects of personal devotion.
Among the most universal was the pectoral cross.
Its importance to its owner did not depend upon its size or the intrinsic value of its metal, but upon the faith represented by the symbol itself.
Archaeological Surface
The bronze retains an attractive natural patina in varying green tones, accompanied by smaller earthy and brown areas.
Mineral deposits, localized surface irregularities and characteristic age-related wear contribute to its authentic archaeological appearance.
Importantly, the overall composition remains clearly legible, including the raised decoration, horizontal arms, lower terminal and elongated upper section.
Details
Culture: Byzantine / Medieval Christian
Historical Context: Crusader Era
Dating: 11th–13th Century
Object: Miniature Pectoral Cross / Christian Devotional Pendant
Material: Bronze
Dimensions: 20 × 14 mm
Weight: 1.1 g
Decoration: Raised geometric and moulded elements
Features: Exceptionally miniature dimensions, richly modelled central section and elongated upper suspension element
Condition: Authentic archaeological condition with natural green patina, mineral deposits and characteristic age-related wear.
Provenance:
Acquired on the European antiquities market.
From a private collection.
Shipping:
European Union only.
Leather cord included.
A Great History in Twenty Millimetres
The scale of this object is perhaps its most fascinating feature.
Only 20 millimetres separate its upper and lower extremities, yet within that tiny space the medieval craftsman created a complete ornamental composition with raised details and a distinctive silhouette.
For its original owner, such an object could have been deeply personal. Small enough to be worn continuously, it may have remained close to the body for years.
Centuries passed. The owner's identity disappeared.
The tiny bronze cross survived.
A rare miniature witness to the Byzantine Christian world of the Crusader era — twenty millimetres of medieval history preserved to the present day.
An unusual miniature Byzantine-tradition bronze pectoral cross, belonging to the medieval Christian world of the Crusader era and dating approximately to the 11th–13th century.
Measuring only 20 × 14 mm and weighing just 1.1 g, this is a remarkably compact devotional object. Despite its tiny dimensions, the cross displays an unexpectedly elaborate and visually rich design.
Its surface is enhanced by numerous raised geometric and moulded elements, concentrated around the centre, lateral arms and lower terminal. The result is a tiny object with an almost jewel-like architectural quality.
Only 20 Millimetres — Remarkable Detail
The most striking characteristic of this cross is the contrast between its miniature scale and the complexity of its decoration.
The central section carries pronounced relief elements arranged into a dense composition. Additional projections continue symmetrically along the horizontal arms, creating a rhythmic ornamental silhouette.
The lower arm expands into a decorated terminal with further raised details, while the upper section rises dramatically into a long, narrowing suspension element.
This contrast between the slender upper section and richly modelled body gives the cross an immediately recognizable profile.
A Personal Cross of a Medieval Christian
Small pectoral crosses occupied an important place within the devotional culture of Byzantium and the surrounding Christian territories.
Unlike monumental or liturgical crosses, these objects belonged to individuals.
They could be worn directly upon the body, either concealed beneath clothing or displayed visibly. At only 1.1 grams, this example was exceptionally suitable for continuous everyday wear.
Such an object could accompany its owner through ordinary life, travel and pilgrimage.
Byzantium and the Crusader Era
The 11th–13th centuries witnessed profound changes throughout the eastern Mediterranean.
The Byzantine world interacted with Western Crusaders, merchants, pilgrims and the diverse peoples of the East. Along these routes travelled not only people and goods, but also artistic traditions and small objects of personal devotion.
Among the most universal was the pectoral cross.
Its importance to its owner did not depend upon its size or the intrinsic value of its metal, but upon the faith represented by the symbol itself.
Archaeological Surface
The bronze retains an attractive natural patina in varying green tones, accompanied by smaller earthy and brown areas.
Mineral deposits, localized surface irregularities and characteristic age-related wear contribute to its authentic archaeological appearance.
Importantly, the overall composition remains clearly legible, including the raised decoration, horizontal arms, lower terminal and elongated upper section.
Details
Culture: Byzantine / Medieval Christian
Historical Context: Crusader Era
Dating: 11th–13th Century
Object: Miniature Pectoral Cross / Christian Devotional Pendant
Material: Bronze
Dimensions: 20 × 14 mm
Weight: 1.1 g
Decoration: Raised geometric and moulded elements
Features: Exceptionally miniature dimensions, richly modelled central section and elongated upper suspension element
Condition: Authentic archaeological condition with natural green patina, mineral deposits and characteristic age-related wear.
Provenance:
Acquired on the European antiquities market.
From a private collection.
Shipping:
European Union only.
Leather cord included.
A Great History in Twenty Millimetres
The scale of this object is perhaps its most fascinating feature.
Only 20 millimetres separate its upper and lower extremities, yet within that tiny space the medieval craftsman created a complete ornamental composition with raised details and a distinctive silhouette.
For its original owner, such an object could have been deeply personal. Small enough to be worn continuously, it may have remained close to the body for years.
Centuries passed. The owner's identity disappeared.
The tiny bronze cross survived.
A rare miniature witness to the Byzantine Christian world of the Crusader era — twenty millimetres of medieval history preserved to the present day.
Details
Culture
Medieval, Crusaders Era
Century/timeframe
11th–13th Century
Name of object
Exceptionally Miniature Byzantine Bronze Pectoral Cross with Elaborate Relief Decoration — Crusader, Amulet, Cross pendant, Talisman
Acquired from
Private collection
Year acquired
2023
Material
Bronze
Country acquired from
Germany
Condition
Very good +
Previous owner acquired from
Private collection
Height
20 mm
Previous owner - year acquired
1999
Width
14 mm
Previous owner - country acquired from
Germany
I verify that I have obtained this object legally and that I am allowed to sell it
Yes
Authenticity
Original/official
Sold by
