Cross

Art Historical Context

This diminutive iron cross, measuring just 13/16 high and weighing a mere 0.1 ounce, is a delicate artifact from the 3rd to 12th century, likely crafted as a personal pendant or devotional amulet. Forged from iron—a practical, enduring metal suited for everyday wear—its simple form exemplifies early metalworking techniques, where skilled artisans hammered and shaped raw material into symbolic objects without elaborate decoration. Housed in the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Islamic department (gift of Helen Miller Gould 1910), this cross hints at the rich cultural intersections of the medieval ...