The medieval pendants for sale at Aurora Antiqua are original pieces, mostly in bronze. The cross is the most common form: plain cross pendants, crosses with enamel and encolpion crosses. Icon pendants form a smaller group. Each pendant is a single object, shown in its own photographs.
Crosses, encolpia and icon pendants
The plain cross pendant is the everyday form: a small cross cast in one piece, with a loop at the head for a cord. Some crosses carry enamel, and their titles say so. Encolpion crosses are the reliquary form, explained below. An icon pendant carries a religious image. For crosses alone, see medieval crosses and encolpia.
What each listing tells you
Each listing states a date range rather than a single year. Every listing has a provenance line that gives the piece's history as far as it is recorded. A certificate of authenticity is included in the box with every piece, and each is covered by our lifetime authenticity guarantee. Shipping from Belgium is free and insured within the EU; see shipping and insurance for other destinations.
Frequently asked questions
What is an encolpion?
An encolpion, also spelled enkolpion, is a reliquary cross worn on the chest: two hinged halves that close on a relic or a blessed token. The listing titles Encolpion Cross and Encolpion-Type Cross both take their name from this form. To see how an individual piece is built, look at its photographs or ask us.
Are these original medieval pendants or replicas?
They are originals; Aurora does not sell replicas. Jakob, who runs Aurora, examines each piece himself before it is listed, and our provenance and authenticity page explains what he looks at.
Can I wear a medieval pendant on a chain?
It depends on the individual pendant, above all on its suspension loop, so ask us about the piece before you wear it. Whatever a pendant hangs on today is a modern choice: cord and leather almost never survive with the metal, so the pendant is medieval and the necklace is not.