VTG / ANTIQUE SOLID STERLING SILVER LARGE 2 1/4" RUSSIAN BAROQUE ORTHODOX CROSS For Sale

Antique or vintage large and sturdy (approx.2 1/4" tall with solid/integrated bale; weight approx. 6 g) Orthodox Crosspendant featuring an 18th century Russian baroque-style ornate openwork designwith the center of the Cross surrounded by ornamental circle similar to ancientSun or solar cross symbols and rich symbolism of images and texts inscribed onboth sides in Church Slavonic. In a Christian context, the "SunCross" design could symbolically represent Jesus as "the sun ofrighteousness" (Malachi 4:2) and His preaching, "I am the light ofthe world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness" (John 8:12). Theobverse bears an image of the three-bar Savior's Cross flanked with theInstruments of the Passion over the skull (Adam's head), whereas the reversedisplays a larger fragment of the Orthodox prayer to the Holy Cross based onPsalm 68 of David the King. The shape of the pendant is characteristic ofhistorical Russian Orthodox crosses made in silver (please see the last picturefor a reference). All or most of the inscriptions preserved on the crossoffered for sale appear to be authentic traditional Slavonic abbreviationscharacteristic of the Russian “Old Believers” type of crosses. However, itcannot be excluded that the cross offered for sale was skillfully recreated ata later period of time following the traditional design. The reversedisplays the “925” print indicating the “sterling” purity. It has beenconfirmed using the silver acid test. The item has visual antique appearancewith signs of aging wear that might include reduced quality of artwork,deformations of the original shape, scratches, dents and patches of discolorationor patina. It has been subjected to gentle manual cleaning and polishing toremove some of the original dark patina. The size and weight of the Cross areshown on the photographs for this listing.

The obverse displays an image of the three-barSuppedaneum cross which is venerated as the true Savior's Cross in the SlavonicOrthodox and some Eastern Catholic churches. Such a cross has three horizontalcrossbeams: the top one represents the "INRI" nameplate, and thebottom one, a footrest. The footrest bar is depicted pointing up, towardHeaven, on Christ's right hand side where the Penitent thief, St. Dismas wascrucified.

The top end of the vertical crossbar of thependant shows a larger Church Slavonic abbreviation meaning "King ofGlory". The left and right side ends of the central horizontalcrossbar of the pendant bear the Sacred Name of Jesus Christ inscribed asthe "IC XC" Greek Christogram, the "IC" on the left,and the "XC" on the right.

An image of the skull (Adam's head) buried belowthe Savior's Cross also refers to Golgotha (Calvary), the elevated site whereJesus was crucified, which the Bible says means "the place of theskull" in Hebrew. An ancient tradition of the Church held that it was alsothe burial place of Adam, thus symbolizing the ultimate victory of Christ oversin and death.

The bottom end of the vertical crossbar justbelow the skull shows "МЛ" ("ML") monogram meaning"Golgotha Place" (“Mesto Lobnoye”), a symbol of the execution placebecoming a place of the redemption and reclaiming of the lostparadise.Another monogram "ГA" (“GA”) positioned justbelow means “Head of Adam”, in relation to the skull symbol above.

There are four additional, diagonal crossbeamsshaped as flower buds, superimposed on the circle surrounding the centerof the cross. The diagonal crossbeams usually refer to the cross of SaintAndrew the Apostle. Alternatively, the four flower buds on the vine couldsymbolize the Four Evangelists. St. Andrew is considered the Founder andthe first Bishop of the Christian Church of Byzantium, and is the patron saintof the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople. Saint Andrew is believed tohave been crucified on the Crux decussata (X-shaped cross, also known as"Saltire").

The reverse bears Church Slavonic text of a larger fragment of the Orthodox prayer to theHoly Precious and Life-Giving Cross based on Psalm 68. Itbegins with "ДА ВОСКРЕСНЕТ БОГ И РАЗЫДУТСЯ ВРАЗИЕГО..." meaning "MAY GOD ARISE AND MAY HIS ENEMIES BESCATTERED". This psalm-based prayer is traditionally inscribed on the reverse of theOld Believers' Orthodox body (Baptism) cross pendants. It is a powerfulreminder to a person wearing the cross to invoke God through thisprayer and through making a sign of the Cross to provide His protection againstthe evil spirits (God's enemies), and thereby is considered a version of theExorcism 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 measuring meter and electronic scale are not for sale, and might be photographed with the item in order to provide a size and weight 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 and could be fragile. All items are sold "as is" with no returns because of a change of mind offered. Will ship to the USA only.