**Originally Listed At $300**

Eastern Europe, Russia, ca. 16th century CE. An ornate, still wearable cross pendant with a complex iconography. One side depicts the Orthodox cross, with two cross bars at the top and a slanted cross bar at the bottom. Below the cross is a skull, symbolic of Adam's skull. On the left and right of the cross bar are the letters "IC" and "XC" respectively, the abbreviation for Christ. Below that, in Cyrillic, is an abbreviation for the "King of Glory". In the topmost arm, also in Cyrillic, is "Son of God", while in Cyrillic on the bottom arm it reads "NIKE", referring to the Greco-Roman goddess of Victory, an abbreviation meaning "Christ Conquers." The reverse of the cross has densely-cast archaic Cyrillic letters, that probably spell out the "Cross Prayer". Size: 1.45" W x 1.95" H (3.7 cm x 5 cm)

Provenance: private Orange County, California, USA collection

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#122971

Smooth green patina overall. Piece would once have been enameled, but enamel is now missing. Tiny area of corrosion on one arm of the cross. Cord in photo is not included.