12th-13th century AD. A Russian bronze enkolpion cross pommée composed of two plates with scenes in relief, hinge below and hinge with facetted suspension loop above; one plate bearing Slavic inscriptions and Greek inscriptions, crucified Christ in the centre with the busts of Saint Nicholas, another saint, the Holy Mother and Saint John in each arm; the other plate bearing the Holy Mother standing robed and nimbate, with Saints Peter, Damian, Cosmas and Basil in roundels in the arms. See identical example in Pitarakis, B., Les Croix-Reliquaires Pectorales Byzantines En Bronze, Paris, 2006, p.244, fig.194, from Fiano Romano (Rome"). 51 grams, 98mm (4"). Property of a gentleman from Vienna; from his private collection formed since 1970. The shape belongs to type X of the Pitarakis classification of reliquary crosses, i.e. the ones with the ornamentation moulded in relief. The inscription in Greek at the sides of Christ's body, although difficult to read, should correspond to the one from John's Gospel: 'here is your son.' 'Here is your mother.' (John 19:25-27"). For this specific lot, 5% import VAT is applicable on the hammer price [No Reserve] Condition Report Fine condition.