6th- 8th century A.D. Crosses of Byzantium – A Byzantine reliquary cross collection

Description

COLLECTION OF 3 GENUINE ANTIQUE ORIGINAL BYZANTINE RELIQUARY CROSS HALVES FROM c.6th- 8th CENTURY A.D.-Most likely made during the Justinian Dynasty. MEASUREMENTS AS FOLLOWS: TOP- 4″ X 2 1/4″, LOWER LEFT 3″ X 1 3/4″, LOWER RIGHT 3 1/2″ X 2 1/8″.
WONDERFULLY HOUSED AND DISPLAYED IN A CUSTOM MADE CLAMSHELL BOX USING LUXURIOUS PLUSH BURGUNDY AND BLACK VELVET. BOX MEASURES 12″x 9 1/2″ x 3″ (lid fits rather snugly). FROM THE ESTATE OF COLLECTOR MARK ANDREW BIR (1961-2009) OF TUCSON, AZ.

The top cross looks like the engraver began spelling the saints name and simply stopped. Antiquity holds the true answer why, could be that the engraver/maker was unable to finish it or he was an unlearned blacksmith who only knew a few letters. Based on the way the saint is depicted, he was a clergyman and has a Cross at each hand. Could indicate martyrdom, could indicate he was a Bishop. One possibility about the name, which I’m leaning heavily towards is, it’s St. Simeon of Persia. He is a 4th century martyr, his icon looks similar to the engraving on the cross. The engraving above him says “Agio”(Saint) and “C-H-M-E-O” Latinized: S-I-M-E-O (Simeon).

The (lower left) cross I’m not completely sure on is the saint with no inscription. I’m using my experience with this and conjecture when saying Anatolia & Cappadocia. If it’s not Cappadocia, then it’s probably a local saint from a locality in the Empire.

The Mother and Son (lower right) cross  is Saint John (the Apostle) on the right and (Mary) the Mother of God on the left. The engraving says, “Woman , behold thy son. Son, behold thy mother.” These are the words Christ gave them, expressly commanding St. John to care for His mother and vice versa.

PLEASE ASK ANY QUESTIONS-WE ARE ALWAYS HAPPY TO HELP.