Byzantine Glass Cross Appliqué
Byzantine Glass Cross Appliqué
Byzantine Glass Cross Appliqué
Byzantine Glass Cross Appliqué
Byzantine Glass Cross Appliqué
Byzantine Glass Cross Appliqué
Byzantine Glass Cross Appliqué
Byzantine Glass Cross Appliqué
Byzantine Glass Cross Appliqué
Byzantine Glass Cross Appliqué
Byzantine Glass Cross Appliqué
Byzantine Glass Cross Appliqué
Byzantine Glass Cross Appliqué
Byzantine Glass Cross Appliqué Byzantine Glass Cross Appliqué Byzantine Glass Cross Appliqué Byzantine Glass Cross Appliqué Byzantine Glass Cross Appliqué Byzantine Glass Cross Appliqué

Byzantine Glass Cross Appliqué

16912

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Byzantine Empire, probably Syro-Palestinian, circa 7th–10th century A.D.

A thick press-molded blue-green glass roundel of truly exceptional surface quality, decorated in high relief on the obverse with a central Latin cross surmounted by a looped suspension head (crux ansata / loop-headed cross) set within a dotted/beaded outer border that encircles the disc. The flat reverse preserves the original molding plane, now entirely transformed by centuries of burial into a shimmering veil of iridescent patina — copper-gold, emerald, lavender, and steel-blue flash — overlaid with soft rosy earthen tones. The obverse shows deep pools of translucent emerald glass surviving amid the iridescent devitrification crust, confirming the original blue-green metal.

The cross itself is of the looped (ansate) form, a type rooted in the Coptic-Byzantine adaptation of the Egyptian ankh, widely used in Late Antique and Early Byzantine Christian iconography as a symbol of eternal life and resurrection. Small loop-headed crosses of this type were produced in glass, bronze, and lead as inexpensive personal devotional objects — amulets, pilgrim tokens, or pendants — and are attested across the Byzantine world from Egypt and the Levant to Anatolia.  

NYC private collection, ex Jean Mahie, Bahamas, 1990s.  Jean Mahie — the atelier of Jacqueline and Arline Moussaieff Mahie — was the renowned Paris/Bahamas-based maker of one-off sculptural gold jewelry, known to incorporate ancient objects into its designs; an appliqué of this character and quality would be entirely consistent with a Mahie studio purchase in the 1990s.

Every object is guaranteed authentic and as described, and has been legally acquired and imported in accordance with U.S. and applicable foreign regulations on the movement and sale of antiquities. A signed certificate of authenticity with a description and photograph accompanies this object. Any restoration is described on the invoice.

Free insured shipping within the United States on most pieces; oversized works are quoted at checkout. We pack and ship ourselves, usually within two business days. International shipping by USPS or DHL is calculated at checkout; if your country is not listed, write to us. Customs forms state the full value; international buyers are responsible for duties and taxes.

Any object may be returned within 14 days of receipt for a refund or credit. Contact us first. See Buying from Us.

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