RARE ANTIQUE c.17-18th CENT. LARGE ORTHODOX OLD BELIEVERS CROSS "I AM THE VINE"

Description: Antique large (approx. 1 3/4" tall with solid bale) Orthodox Cross pendant featuring a rare version of 17-18th century Russian baroque ornate openwork design with a unique image of the Savior's Cross depicted as vines climbing around a smaller Greek-style cross with the crescent-shaped "Tsata", an ancient Byzantine symbol of Christ as both the King and High Priest, in the centerpiece. Such a design reflects the Orthodox concept of the life-giving Tree of the Christian Cross, and also refers to the preaching of Christ: "I am the vine; you are the branches" (John 15:5). Accordingly, the reverse displays a Church Slavonic text of the Troparion (Orthodox hymn) to the Holy Cross glorifying the Lord's Resurrection. The center of the Cross surrounded by ornamental circle similar to ancient "Solar", or "Sun" cross. In a Christian context, the "Sun Cross" design could symbolically represent Jesus as "the sun of righteousness" (Malachi 4:2) and His preaching, "I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness" (John 8:12). The reverse displays a Church Slavonic text of the Troparion (Orthodox hymn) to the Holy Cross. The Cross appears to have been hand made from a historical copper alloy of unknown composition. It shows distinct marks from the maker's grinding file tools. Origin likely circa late 17th - 18th century Russia (according to available catalogs describing findings of similar design; please see the last picture for a reference). The item shows significant signs of wear due to its old age and long devotional wearing, such as reduced quality of artwork, visible deformations of the original shape, scratches or superficial cracks, dents, and patches of patina/oxidation. The inside of the necklace bale shows signs of wear consistent with long continuous wearing. Most of the original thick patina has been removed using a complex procedure of gentle manual cleaning and polishing. Some pictures taken under bright illumination could give an impression that the metal is silvery, but its real color shows yellow (brass-like) tone reflecting presence of copper in the metal alloy. The size of the Cross is shown on the photographs for this listing. The Savior's Cross depicted on the obverse as a smaller cross with arms of equal length (known as a Greek cross) bears the "Tsata", a symbol that could be described as a neck decoration shaped as a turned over crescent, which was used for the Holy Trinity or Jesus to signify the highest status in the Kingdom of God. The Savior's Cross is marked with abbreviated inscriptions in Church Slavonic incorporated into four "boxes" positioned in each of the four crossbar ends. The top "boxed" end of the vertical crossbar has a Church Slavonic abbreviation meaning "KING OF GLORY", the Orthodox title of Jesus traditionally inscribed on "Old Believer's" crosses. The "boxed" left and right side ends of the central horizontal crossbar of the pendant bear the Sacred Name of Jesus Christ inscribed as the "IC XC" Greek Christogram in Church Slavonic transliteration, the "ICЪ" on the left, and the "XCЪ" on the right. The line just below the "ICЪ XCЪ" inscription within the side "boxes" shows Greek "NIKA" ("VICTORIOUS") symbol made in Cyrillic transliteration as "HИK" on the left, and "A" on the right to , an ancient reminder of Christ's victory over sin and death achieved on the Cross. There are four additional, diagonal crossbeams shaped as flower buds, superimposed on the circle surrounding the center of the cross. The diagonal crossbeams usually refer to the cross of Saint Andrew the Apostle. Alternatively, the four flower buds on the vine could symbolize the Four Evangelists. St. Andrew is considered the Founder and the first Bishop of the Christian Church of Byzantium, and is the patron saint of the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople. Saint Andrew is believed to have been crucified on the Crux decussata (X-shaped cross, also known as "Saltire"). The reverse bears a Church Slavonic text with abbreviated words of the Troparion (Orthodox hymn) to the Holy Cross beginning with "КРЕСТУ ТВОЕМУ..." ("Before Thy Holy Cross we bow down in worship, o Lord, and Thy Holy Resurrection we glorify").Please examine all photographs carefully and do your own research if necessary. Please note that photographs are an important part of the item's description. The decorative stone and measuring meter are not for sale, and are photographed with the item in order to provide a size reference. Please ask all questions before making a purchase. There are no guarantees with the listing because most items are original vintage or antique objects that are quite old. All items are sold "as is" with no returns because of a change of mind offered. Shipping and handling is free for the continental US. International shipping is handled by Ebay. International buyers, please ask your shipping questions, if any, prior to buying. Please note that customs regulations differ from country to country, and it is a buyer's responsibility to ensure that any customs fees or other duties collected by the buyer's country are paid and satisfied in full.

Price: 99 USD

Location: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

End Time: 2024-10-27T22:44:15.000Z

Shipping Cost: 0 USD