Rare antique medieval medium-sized (approx. 1-1/8" tall with solid bale) Cross pendant with a rectangular centerpiece decorated on both sides with ajouré-style five-dot pattern, which in Christian context, could symbolize the Savior with the four Evangelists. Crosses of similar design are dated c.12-13th century (please see the last two pictures for a reference). Such crosses are believed to have traveled across Europe during the Viking Age, a period of Nordic military, mercantile and demographic expansion via the trade route called "From the Varangians to the Greeks" connecting Scandinavia, Baltic countries, Kievan Rus and the Byzantine Empire.

The Cross offered for sale appears to have been hand made from a historical billon-like metal alloy of unknown composition and purity (not tested for silver). The item shows visible signs of wear and aging consistent with its centuries-old age, such as deformations of its original shape, cracks, dents, chipped off or corroded particles of metal, scratches and patches of patina/oxidation. There is a visible small metal defect that looks like a superficial crack on one side of the necklace bale (highlighted on some photographs). Upon visual examination, the defect does not penetrate the full depth of the wall, which appears structurally sound. Most of the original thick patina has been removed using a complex procedure of gentle manual cleaning and polishing. The size of the pendant is shown on the photographs for this listing.