Vintage or antique solid sterling silver smaller (approx. 1 1/16" tall with bale and jump ring; weight approx. 0.4-0.5 g) Crucifix pendant featuring fine ancient Slavonic Orthodox "budded" design with iconic image of the Crucified Savior over the skull with crossbones (Adam's head) and the traditional Orthodox "Protection" prayer on the reverse. The reverse also displays the "925" print indicating the "sterling" purity of silver. In addition, the soldered jump ring of the pendant bears the "925" punch mark. The pendant has visible antique appearance with signs of aging and wear that might include diminished quality of the artwork, deformations of its original shape, multiple scratches and dents of various size and depth, and patches of discoloration/patina. Most of the original thick patina has been removed using gentle cleaning and polishing. The size and weight of the item are shown on the photographs for this listing.

The obverse displays an image of the Crucifixion recreated according to the ancient Orthodox iconographic tradition. The top "budded" end of the vertical crossbar of the pendant shows the "INRI" abbreviation made in Cyrillic transliteration as "IНЦI". The left and right side ends of the horizontal crossbar bear the Sacred Name of Jesus Christ inscribed as the "IC XC" Greek Christogram, the "IC" on the left, and the "XC" on the right.  

The bottom "budded" end of the vertical crossbar of the pendant shows a symbolic image of the skull with crossbones, or Adam's head, buried in a cave below the Savior's Cross. It refers to Golgotha (Calvary), the elevated site where Jesus was crucified, which the Bible says means "the place of the skull" in Hebrew. An ancient tradition of the Church held that it was also the burial place of Adam, thus also symbolizing the ultimate victory of Christ over sin and death.

The reverse bears an inscription of the traditional Slavonic Orthodox prayer meaning "Save and Protect". The prayer reminds us that Christ the Savior is with us to save and protect a person wearing the cross from every evil and all enemies visible and invisible.   

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 measuring meter and electronic scale are not for sale, and might be photographed with the item in order to provide a size and weight 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.