Ca. 12-14th Century AD.Ancient Near East / Holy Land, Byzantine Empire. An exquisite cast copper-iron processional cross with added decorative elements. The cross is composed of two flared sections, pinned together in the center with a cast-bronze medallion. The lateral arms are adorned with pointed finials on their upper corners, and on top is an intricate bronze crucifix finial flanked by small palmettes. From each arm hangs a pair of suspended rock crystal beads, and a large tang projects from beneath the vertical arm for attachment to a long bronze or wooden pole. The circular bronze medallion is ringed with faint silvering and displays an image of the Virgin Mary and the infant Christ. A pointille Greek inscription on the obverse side reads, "SOFRONIYO," possibly an inexact genitive name form of "Sofronios," perhaps the individual responsible for dedicating the cross. Another inscription on the horizontal arms, though faded on the left arm, reads, "IA KONYA," perhaps a reference to the modern city of the same name. Published in "Venerable Traditions: Works of Art from the Ancient World." Fortuna Fine Arts, Ltd., New York, 2007. Size: 685mm x 325mm; Weight: 885g Provenance: Ex. Janet Zakos collection, Switzerland, acquired in the 1980s; private East Coast, USA collection.