Byzantine Large Reliquary Cross (Enkolpion) with the Virgin Mary Orans
13
days
18
hours
21
minutes
55
seconds
Current bid
€ 46
Reserve price not met
Expert
Selected by Peter Reynaers
Has nearly 30 years’ experience and moderated multiple online art research groups.
Estimate € 280 - € 350
 | €46 | |
|---|---|---|
| €43 | |
| €40 | |
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This 9th–11th-century Byzantine bronze reliquary cross (enkolpion), measuring approximately 87 × 44.4 mm, is one surviving half and depicts the Virgin Mary in the Orans pose.
AI-assisted summary
Description from the seller
Attention: due to customs regulations we can only ship inside the European Union. Please ensure you have a valid EU shipping address before placing a bid.
Byzantine bronze enkolpion depicting the Virgin Mary in the traditional Orans attitude of prayer. Mary is shown frontally with both arms raised, wearing a long, heavily stylised garment decorated with engraved chevron patterns. A halo surrounds her elongated face, while ring-and-dot motifs decorate the arms of the cross.
Above the figure is the Greek inscription:
ΠΑΝΑΓ(ΙΑ).
This is an abbreviated form of Panagia, meaning “All-Holy”, one of the principal Byzantine titles of the Virgin Mary.
One original suspension lug remains at the top, while two hinge elements survive at the base.
The object is one surviving half of a formerly hollow reliquary cross. It would originally have been joined to a corresponding second half, probably depicting the Crucified Christ. Together, the halves formed a compartment for a small sacred relic or another devotional object.
Size: ± 87 x 44,4 mm
Condition
Good condition for its age. The engraved figure, inscription and geometric decoration remain clear and well-defined. The surface has a smooth, glossy patina with lighter earthen and coppery deposits. The corresponding half and original hinge pins are missing.
Certificate of Authenticity (PDF) is available upon request for all lots with a hammer price of €100 or higher.
-> The term enkolpion derives from the Greek word enkólpion, meaning “worn upon the chest”. Byzantine enkolpia were personal devotional objects suspended from the neck and worn close to the body. They served both as visible expressions of Christian faith and as protective objects.
Reliquary crosses of this type were generally cast in two hollow halves connected by hinges. Their small internal compartment could hold fragments believed to come from the True Cross, pieces of bone, cloth, earth from a holy site or other sacred materials. The presence of a relic transformed the pendant into a portable reliquary.
The Virgin Mary was frequently represented in the Orans pose, with her arms raised in prayer. Within Byzantine Christianity, this image presented Mary as an intercessor who prayed on behalf of humanity. She was commonly paired with the Crucified Christ on the opposite half of an enkolpion, creating a compact visual expression of prayer, salvation and divine protection.
Bronze enkolpia were produced throughout the Byzantine world and circulated widely through trade, pilgrimage and missionary activity. Comparable examples have been discovered from the eastern Mediterranean and the Balkans to Kievan Rus’, demonstrating the extensive cultural and religious influence of the Byzantine Empire.
Seller's Story
Please read our information carefully.
*SHIPPING INFO Due to insurance procedures, combined shipping is only possible with a single payment. (1 payment reference = 1 insured parcel.) If you accept an offer after the auction and pay separately, shipments cannot be manually combined afterward. Please ensure your shipping address is complete and correct before paying. Changes made after payment are not automatically forwarded to us.
* CERTIFICATE OF AUTHENTICITY (COA) For insurance purposes we can provide a digital Certificate of Authenticity (PDF) for every item with a hammer price of Euro 100 or more. The COA is available upon request within 20 days of the auction date. Instructions will be provided when your order is shipped. Certificates are not included in the package.
* INSURANCE & CLAIMS All our parcels are shipped with external insurance. This insurance requires the following:
-> Monitor the online tracking and notify delays to the seller within 14 days after the shipping date.
-> In case of damage: write a reservation on the delivery note and report the damage to the seller via the Catawiki online chat within 24 hours. Keep all packaging and send us photos of the damage.
* MARGIN SCHEME: All our sales are subject to the margin scheme; therefore, no VAT is charged or shown on our invoices.
* IMPORTANT BUYERS OUTSIDE THE EU: We cannot ship to countries outside the European Union. Please ensure you have an EU shipping address before bidding. No exceptions can be made. Switzerland, Norway and the United Kingdom are not part of the EU.
* DOCUMENTATION NOTICE: Previous invoices and import/export documents will not be shared with customers.
----------------------
Thank you for your interest, and best of luck with your bids!
Attention: due to customs regulations we can only ship inside the European Union. Please ensure you have a valid EU shipping address before placing a bid.
Byzantine bronze enkolpion depicting the Virgin Mary in the traditional Orans attitude of prayer. Mary is shown frontally with both arms raised, wearing a long, heavily stylised garment decorated with engraved chevron patterns. A halo surrounds her elongated face, while ring-and-dot motifs decorate the arms of the cross.
Above the figure is the Greek inscription:
ΠΑΝΑΓ(ΙΑ).
This is an abbreviated form of Panagia, meaning “All-Holy”, one of the principal Byzantine titles of the Virgin Mary.
One original suspension lug remains at the top, while two hinge elements survive at the base.
The object is one surviving half of a formerly hollow reliquary cross. It would originally have been joined to a corresponding second half, probably depicting the Crucified Christ. Together, the halves formed a compartment for a small sacred relic or another devotional object.
Size: ± 87 x 44,4 mm
Condition
Good condition for its age. The engraved figure, inscription and geometric decoration remain clear and well-defined. The surface has a smooth, glossy patina with lighter earthen and coppery deposits. The corresponding half and original hinge pins are missing.
Certificate of Authenticity (PDF) is available upon request for all lots with a hammer price of €100 or higher.
-> The term enkolpion derives from the Greek word enkólpion, meaning “worn upon the chest”. Byzantine enkolpia were personal devotional objects suspended from the neck and worn close to the body. They served both as visible expressions of Christian faith and as protective objects.
Reliquary crosses of this type were generally cast in two hollow halves connected by hinges. Their small internal compartment could hold fragments believed to come from the True Cross, pieces of bone, cloth, earth from a holy site or other sacred materials. The presence of a relic transformed the pendant into a portable reliquary.
The Virgin Mary was frequently represented in the Orans pose, with her arms raised in prayer. Within Byzantine Christianity, this image presented Mary as an intercessor who prayed on behalf of humanity. She was commonly paired with the Crucified Christ on the opposite half of an enkolpion, creating a compact visual expression of prayer, salvation and divine protection.
Bronze enkolpia were produced throughout the Byzantine world and circulated widely through trade, pilgrimage and missionary activity. Comparable examples have been discovered from the eastern Mediterranean and the Balkans to Kievan Rus’, demonstrating the extensive cultural and religious influence of the Byzantine Empire.
Seller's Story
Please read our information carefully.
*SHIPPING INFO Due to insurance procedures, combined shipping is only possible with a single payment. (1 payment reference = 1 insured parcel.) If you accept an offer after the auction and pay separately, shipments cannot be manually combined afterward. Please ensure your shipping address is complete and correct before paying. Changes made after payment are not automatically forwarded to us.
* CERTIFICATE OF AUTHENTICITY (COA) For insurance purposes we can provide a digital Certificate of Authenticity (PDF) for every item with a hammer price of Euro 100 or more. The COA is available upon request within 20 days of the auction date. Instructions will be provided when your order is shipped. Certificates are not included in the package.
* INSURANCE & CLAIMS All our parcels are shipped with external insurance. This insurance requires the following:
-> Monitor the online tracking and notify delays to the seller within 14 days after the shipping date.
-> In case of damage: write a reservation on the delivery note and report the damage to the seller via the Catawiki online chat within 24 hours. Keep all packaging and send us photos of the damage.
* MARGIN SCHEME: All our sales are subject to the margin scheme; therefore, no VAT is charged or shown on our invoices.
* IMPORTANT BUYERS OUTSIDE THE EU: We cannot ship to countries outside the European Union. Please ensure you have an EU shipping address before bidding. No exceptions can be made. Switzerland, Norway and the United Kingdom are not part of the EU.
* DOCUMENTATION NOTICE: Previous invoices and import/export documents will not be shared with customers.
----------------------
Thank you for your interest, and best of luck with your bids!
Details
Culture
Byzantine
Century/timeframe
9th-11th century AD
Name of object
Large Reliquary Cross (Enkolpion) with the Virgin Mary Orans
Acquired from
Dealer at a fair
Year acquired
2026
Country acquired from
Netherlands
Condition
Good
Previous owner acquired from
Dealer at a fair
Previous owner - year acquired
2026
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
