RARE ANTIQUE c.17-18th CENTURY LARGE 2 7/16" 16 g ORTHODOX "OLD BELIEVERS" CROSS

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Seller: Top-Rated Seller godblessyou21 ✉️ (1,417) 100%, Location: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, US, Ships to: US & many other countries, Item: 204703383856 RARE ANTIQUE c.17-18th CENTURY LARGE 2 7/16" 16 g ORTHODOX "OLD BELIEVERS" CROSS.

Rare antique  large and  massive  (approx. 2 7/16" tall with solid bale; weight approx. 16.3 g) Orthodox Cross pendant featuring a 17-18th century Russian "Old Believers"  ornate design with the center of the Cross surrounded by ornamental circle similar to a "Solar", or a "Sun" cross and image of the three-bar Savior's Cross flanked with the two Instruments of the Passion standing above the skull (Adam's head). 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 Cross appears to have been hand made from a historical copper alloy of unknown composition .   It shows distinct marks from grinding file tools of the coppersmith maker.  The Cross was originally decorated with blue and white enamel inlays that were largely lost (only fragments preserved).  Origin likely circa late 17th - 18th century Russia (according to available catalogs describing similar findings; 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,  lost fragments of enamel,  discoloration of remaining enamel due to aging, and patches of patina/oxidation. Most of the original thick patina has been removed using a complex procedure of 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 and weight of the Cross are shown on the photographs for this listing.

The obverse displays an image of the three-bar Suppedaneum cross which is venerated as the true Savior's Cross in the Slavonic Orthodox and some Eastern Catholic churches. Such a cross has three horizontal crossbeams: the top one represents the "INRI" nameplate, and the bottom one, a footrest. The footrest bar is depicted pointing up, toward Heaven, on Christ's right hand side where the Penitent thief, St. Dismas was crucified. 

The top end of the vertical crossbar incorporates the larger, two-word, abbreviated inscription in  Church Slavonic  meaning "KING OF GLORY".  The 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, the "IC" on the left, and the "XC" on the right.  The bottom "boxed" end of the vertical crossbar shows  "МЛРБ" ("MLRB") abbreviation meaning "The CALVARY (Golgotha) BECAME PARADISE", a symbol of the execution place becoming a place of the redemption and reclaiming of the lost paradise. 

The space just below the central horizontal crossbar of the Savior's Cross incorporates a smaller "NIKA" inscription in Church Slavonic (as "HИ" on the left and "KA" on the right side). "NIKA" is an ancient Greek symbol meaning "Victorious" which is often used as a part of the title of Jesus to symbolize His victory over sin and death achieved on the Cross.

Parallel to the vertical crossbar, there are images of the two Instruments of the Passion which a re subjects to adoration along with the Cross. T he Holy Lance (spear)  of a Roman soldier is  marked as "K " for the Church Slavonic " Копие" (" Kopiye") in the space just below the horizontal crossbar of the Savior's Cross, whereas the Holy Sponge attached to the end of a cane is marked as "T" for the Church Slavonic " Трость" (" Trost"). 

A symbolic image of the skull, or Adam's head, buried below the Savior's Cross refers to Golgotha (Calvary), the elevated site where Jesus was crucified, which the Bible says means "the place of the skull" in Hebrew. An ancient tradition of the Church held that it was also the burial place of Adam, thus symbolizing the ultimate victory of Christ over sin and death.  

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 displays a geometrical ornament incorporating small letters of worn-out text at the perimeter of the Cross. The text appears as a fragment of the prayer to the Holy Cross based on Psalm 68 beginning with "ДА ВОСКРЕСНЕТ БОГ И РАЗЫДУТСЯ ВРАЗИ ЕГО..." meaning "MAY GOD ARISE AND MAY HIS ENEMIES BE SCATTERED". This psalm-based prayer is traditionally inscribed on the reverse of the Old Believers' Orthodox body (Baptism) cross pendants, meaning to provide protection of the faithful cross-bearer against the evil spirits (God's enemies), and thereby is considered a version of the Exorcism prayer. 

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.

  • Condition: Used
  • Condition: Antique large and massive (approx. 2 7/16" tall with solid bale; weight approx. 16.3 g) Orthodox Cross pendant featuring a 17-18th century Russian "Old Believers" ornate design. The Cross appears to have been hand made from a historical copper alloy of unknown composition showing distinct marks from grinding file tools of the maker. It was originally decorated with blue and white enamel inlays that were largely lost. Origin likely c. late 17th - 18th century Russia (according to available catalogs describing similar findings). The item shows significant signs of wear due to its old age, such as reduced quality of artwork, visible deformations of the original shape, scratches or superficial cracks, dents, lost fragments of enamel, discoloration of remaining enamel and patches of patina/oxidation. Most of the original thick patina has been removed using a complex procedure of cleaning and polishing. The real color of the metal shows yellow (brass-like) tone reflecting presence of copper.
  • Type: Pendant
  • Featured Refinements: Antique Orthodox Cross
  • Material: Historical metal alloy of unknown composition; enamels
  • Country/Region of Manufacture: Unknown

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