9th-12th century AD. A bifacial silver discoid pendant with applied beaded wire border and double suspension loop; one face decorated with a saint with outstretched arms and a cross in each hand, at his side the letters A and ? (Alpha and Omega); the other face with a large central cross flanked by smaller crosses. See Wamser, HvL., Die Welt Von Byzanz-Europas Ostliches Erbe, Munich, 2004, p.183, item 228-235, for similar examples in lead. 2.2 grams, 25cm (1"). Property of a gentleman from Vienna; from his private collection formed since 1970. Icons in silver or bronze, hammered or worked in repoussé, are rare, but they were widely used as protective amulets, together with the lead ones. They were worn as ornamental fittings as well, and often they assumed a round shape with a pearl-shaped decoration on the edge, fitted with a clasp for the suspension from a necklace. [No Reserve] For this specific lot, 5% import VAT is applicable on the hammer price