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

$795.00
/
Shipping calculated at checkout.

This site is protected by hCaptcha and the hCaptcha Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

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.

All pieces are unconditionally guaranteed authentic and as described in perpetuity and have been legally acquired and imported in full accordance with U.S. and applicable foreign regulations regarding the movement and sale of antiquities.

A signed guarantee of authenticity with a description and photograph of the item(s) accompanies this object.

We ship Tuesday to Friday with UPS or USPS and usually same day if your order is received before 2pm. Depending on size and destination, delivery times range from one to five business days.

For overseas shipments our shipping charge includes packing, preparation of all customs paperwork, insurance and carrier fees in compliance with all USA and International customs requirements.

Overseas shipments are usually sent by courier but contact us if you have a shipping preference. International customers are responsible for all duties and taxes. 

You may also like

Recently viewed