Near East, Byzantine Empire, ca. 8th to 12th century CE. A beautiful pin with fine 12 karat gold filigree in a ring around a clear ovoid crystal, probably quartz, highly polished and with an ornate Byzantine cross incised into its convex face. There is a loop for suspension on the back, and what looks like an old clasp, which would have once had a pin connecting them. This would have been a treasured item for an elite member of Byzantine society, where piety and ornate beauty were one and the same. Size: 0.95" W x 1.05" H (2.4 cm x 2.7 cm)

Provenance: private East Coast, USA collection

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#124266

Slight bending to edges. Tiny chip from face of crystal. Clasp may need repair and the pin is missing.