Rare antique medium-sized but thick and sturdy (approx. 1 1/4" tall with solid bale; weight approx. 5.2 g) Orthodox Cross pendant featuring an ancient sword-shaped design displaying an image of the three-bar Savior's Cross with the Crown of Thorns. A Cross shaped as a sword might 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).  Such a design of the Cross is characteristic of the Russian Orthodox crosses that appeared around 15th century. It was suggested that crosses and crucifixes shaped as a sword became popular in the medieval Europe because of the Crusades. 

The Cross offered for sale has the "IC XC" Greek Christogram inscribed in the top part of the vertical crossbar, a rare design assigned to an earlier period of Russian history beginning c. late 14th century (in later versions of sword-shaped crosses, the Christogram usually appears separated in the side ends of the horizontal crossbar, the "IC" on the left and the "XC" on the right). It appears to have been hand made from a heavy silvery metal alloy, possibly a historical billon-like silver alloy of unknown silver purity (not tested), or a historical multi-component bronze of unknown composition, which could contain copper, tin, some silver and also other metals. It shows distinct marks from the maker's grinding file tools. Origin likely circa late 14th - 15th century Russia (according to available catalogs describing similar findings; please see the last picture for a reference). The item shows significant signs of wear due to its old age, such as reduced quality of artwork, visible deformations of the original shape, scratches or superficial cracks, dents, discolorations, and patches of patina/oxidation. Most of the original thick dark patina has been removed using a complex procedure of gentle manual cleaning and polishing. The size and weight of the Cross are shown on the photographs for this listing.

The obverse displays an image of the three-bar Suppedaneum cross which is venerated as the true Savior's Cross in the Slavonic 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 bar 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.

The top end of the vertical crossbar bears the Sacred Name of Jesus Christ inscribed as the "IC XC" Greek Christogram. The left and right side ends of the central horizontal crossbar of the pendant show the Greek "NIKA" ("Victorious") symbol made in a Cyrillic transliteration as "HИKA", the "HИ" on the left, and the "KA" on the right, another ancient title of Christ  referring to His victory over sin and death achieved on the Cross. The bottom pointed end of the vertical crossbar incorporates an abbreviated inscription in Church Slavonic meaning "King of Glory". 

Parallel to the vertical crossbar, there are small images of the two Instruments of the Passion which are subjects to adoration along with the Cross, the Holy Lance (spear) of a Roman soldier and the Holy Sponge attached to the end of a cane. 

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.