Byzantine Leaded Bronze Plaque – Crucifix (Auction 2026-06-05, Lot 178A)

$257.00

Eastern Mediterranean, Byzantine Empire, ca. 10th to 12th century CE. A cast leaded bronze plaque in the form of a cross, featuring a stylized crucifix rendered in low relief and framed within a compact, rectilinear silhouette. The front presents Christ affixed to the cross, his body simplified into linear forms with incised detailing that emphasizes the verticality of the torso and the outstretched arms. The head is centrally placed, with schematic facial features that align with the restrained, symbolic visual language of Byzantine devotional art. The surface displays worn but legible relief, with linear striations suggesting drapery and anatomical structure rather than naturalistic modeling. The reverse is plain, bearing a dark, mottled patina with areas of mineral accretion consistent with age and long burial or exposure. The plaque lacks suspension hardware, suggesting it may have been mounted, sewn into a textile, affixed to a reliquary, or incorporated into a larger devotional setting rather than worn as a pendant. Size: 1″ W x 1.5″ H (2.5 cm x 3.8 cm)

Leaded bronze plaques of this type were produced widely throughout the Byzantine world as portable expressions of faith, serving both liturgical and personal devotional purposes. Their compact scale, durable material, and simplified iconography allowed them to circulate easily among clergy and lay believers alike, functioning as visual affirmations of Christian doctrine centered on the Crucifixion.

This example reflects the Byzantine preference for symbolic clarity over naturalism, where the power of the image lies not in anatomical realism but in its theological resonance. The softened edges and surface wear attest to sustained handling and devotional use, lending the object an understated gravity and quiet authority rooted in centuries of belief and ritual.

Provenance: private Thousand Oaks, California, USA collection, acquired 1970s to 2000s

Condition: Good. Weathering with abrasions and surface wear commensurate with age. Otherwise, intact and very nice with liberal remaining detail and rich patina.