Description: Vintage solid sterling silver small- to medium sized (approx. 1 1/8" tall with rotating bale; weight approx. 1.7-1.8 g) Crucifix pendant featuring fine Slavonic Orthodox ornate openwork design with a relief image of the Crucified Savior over the skull (Adam’s head), and inscription of the traditional Slavonic Orthodox prayer meaning "Save and Protect" on the reverse. The Savior's Cross is framed with floral or vine ornaments that might symbolize the life-giving nature of the Christian Cross, and also refer to the preaching of Christ: "I am the vine; you are the branches" (John 15:5). The crossbar ends and the frontal panel of the bale are decorated with five clear gemstones. The back bar of the rotating bale of the pendant bears two punch marks, one of which displays the "925" hallmark indicating the "sterling" purity. In addition, it was tested positive for the "sterling" purity of silver. The item has visible vintage appearance with signs of aging and wear that might include diminished quality of the artwork, deformations of its original shape, scratches, dents, and patches of discoloration/patina. 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 Savior is depicted crucified on the three-bar Suppedaneum cross that 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 crossbeam is depicted pointing up, toward Heaven, on Christ's right hand side where the Penitent thief, St. Dismas was crucified. The top end of the vertical crossbar displays Church Slavonic monogram "ЦC" meaning "King of Glory", a traditional part of the Orthodox title of Jesus inscribed on the Savior's Cross. 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. A symbolic image of the skull, or Adam's head, buried below the Savior's Cross 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 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.
Price: 39 USD
Location: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
End Time: 2024-11-16T10:16:59.000Z
Shipping Cost: 0 USD
Product Images
Item Specifics
All returns accepted: ReturnsNotAccepted
Material: Sterling silver; gemstones
Country/Region of Manufacture: Unknown
