Fragment of a Processional Cross
Unknown Artist
c. 1050
Medium
silver gilt, niello
Dimensions
{"overall":{"height":0.323,"width":0.448,"depth":0.057}}
Classification
Metalwork
Department
Medieval Art
Museum
Cleveland Museum of Art
Credit
Leonard C. Hanna Jr. Fund
Accession Number
1970.36
About this artwork
Impressively large and elaborately embellished, the cross to which this fragment belonged was likely carried in liturgical processions. The central medallion on its front depicts Christ, flanked by medallions showing the Virgin and Saint John the Baptist. Together they form the Deesis, a powerful Byzantine image formula evoking these saints’ intercession with Christ on behalf of mankind. In the central medallion on the cross’s back is Saint Sabas, founder of an important monastery near Jerusalem...