14th century AD. A silver-gilt cross engraved with a standing figure of St George in the centre, fully armoured and wearing a epilórikion (cuirass over garment) over his scale (klivanion) or quilted armour, spear (kontári) in his right hand, a small shield (cheiroskoutarion) in his left hand; busts of saints are represented at the ends of the upper and side arms; around the saint engraved inscriptions '? ?(????) ????(?)??C', for Saint George; suspension ring for attachment to a chain or leather strap to the top. See Ross, M., Catalogue of the Byzantine and early mediaeval antiquities in the Dumbarton oaks collection, volume 2, jewelry, enamels and art of the Migration Period, Washington, 1965(2005"). 38.1 grams, 81mm (3 1/4"). From the property of an Essex private collector; acquired in the early 1990s. It is highly probable that the cross belonged to a soldier of the Roman army, worn as protection on the battlefield. The lettering and the workmanship, as well as the military equipment, suggest a 14th century date. The cross finds a near identical parallel in a pectoral cross of the Dumbarton Oaks collection (inv.53.12.88, s. Ross, 1965, p.77 n.103"). Like in the Washington specimen, the figures on the ends of the cross are probably to be identified as St. Nicholas (top), St. Basil (left) and St. Gregorios on the right.