Rare antique medium-sized (approx. 1-1/4" tall with solid bale) Orthodox Cross pendant featuring an ancient sword-shaped design displaying an image of the three-bar Savior's Cross with the Crown of Thorns. The Cross appears to have been hand made from a historical metal alloy of unknown composition. Origin likely c.16th century Russia (based on similar items listed in available catalogs; please see the last two pictures for a reference). The item shows significant signs of wear consistent with its old age and long devotional wearing, such as reduced quality of artwork, deformations of the original shape, cracks, scratches, dents and/or corroded particles of metal, and patches of patina/oxidation. Most of the original thick patina has been removed using a complex procedure of cleaning and polishing. Some pictures taken under bright illumination could give an impression that the metal is silvery, but its real color shows some yellow (brass-like) tone reflecting presence of copper in the metal alloy. The size of the Cross is shown on the photographs for this listing.

The "sword"-shaped design of the cross is characteristic of the Orthodox crosses that appeared around 15-16th century. In the Western Europe, such a shape of crucifixes and crosses became popular in the medieval period because of the Crusades. In a more general context of the Gospels, a sword-shaped cross may refer to the preaching of Christ: "I came not to bring peace, but a sword" (Matthew 10:34), and "...if you don't have a sword, sell your cloak and buy one." (Luke 22:36).

The obverse bears an image of the three-bar Suppedaneum cross with a symbolic image of the Crown of Thorns, or a wreath, around the center. The three-bar cross is venerated as the true Savior's Cross in the Orthodox and some Eastern Catholic churches. Such a cross has three horizontal crossbeams: the top one represents the "INRI" nameplate, and the bottom one, a footrest. The footrest crossbeam is depicted pointing up, toward Heaven, on Christ's right hand side where the Penitent thief, St. Dismas was crucified. The Savior's Cross is depicted according to ancient tradition of Russian North with its top crossbeam attached on the top of the Cross. The Crown or a wreath on the cross usually means that suffering or bearing the Cross of those who believe in Christ is ultimately rewarded by a crown of the eternal life in His Heavenly Kingdom.

Please examine all photographs carefully and do your own research if necessary. Please note that photographs are an important part of the item's description. The decorative stone and measuring meter are not for sale, and are photographed with the item in order to provide a size reference. Please ask all questions before making a purchase. There are no guarantees with the listing because most items are original vintage or antique objects that are quite old. All items are sold "as is" with no returns because of a change of mind offered. Shipping and handling is free for the continental US. International shipping is handled by Ebay. International buyers, please ask your shipping questions, if any, prior to buying. Please note that customs regulations differ from country to country, and it is a buyer's responsibility to ensure that any customs fees or other duties collected by the buyer's country are paid and satisfied in full.