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Byzantine Bone Cross 'Ionas' (12th-15th c. AD)
€420,00
Material:
- Bone
Era:
- Medieval
Rarity:
- Common
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Free insured EU shipping
30-day return policy
Shipping & delivery times
Every piece ships from Belgium, fully insured and tracked, with its certificate of authenticity.
European Union
- Shipping is free, insured and tracked.
- Dispatched within 1–3 business days, delivered 1–3 business days later.
Outside the EU
- Shipping is a flat €95 per order, however many pieces. It covers the EU export licence and insured DHL Express (2–5 business days after dispatch).
- Every antiquity leaving the EU needs an official EU export licence. We apply for it on your behalf (included in the €95); approval takes about 3 weeks before dispatch. The licence travels with the piece and stays part of its provenance.
- Import duties and taxes are not included. They are charged on top by your country's customs.
How the export licence works · Questions before you order? Write to us and we will confirm your delivery timeline within 24 hours.
Description
A hand-carved Byzantine bone cross featuring the IC XC Christogram, the traditional abbreviation for Jesus Christ. The front displays a central sunburst motif carved in deep linear strokes, symbolizing divine illumination and personal protection within Eastern Christian devotional practice. Compact bone, an intact suspension loop, and clear medieval carving patterns mark this as a genuine amuletic piece worn for daily spiritual safeguarding.
Details
Material: Bone
Date: Byzantine, 12th–15th century AD
Dimensions: Length c. 63 mm; Width c. 28 mm
Provenance: Private Belgian collection, pre 1960s
Unique Identifier: P-27-BO
Condition: Stable surface with authentic medieval wear, suspension loop intact
Restoration and Authenticity
Offered in original, untouched condition with stable patina and no modern repairs.
A Certificate of Authenticity is included.
Historical Context
Bone devotional crosses were widely worn across the Byzantine and Eastern Christian world, serving as powerful personal amulets for monks, pilgrims, and lay believers. The IC XC Christogram expressed devotion to Christ in the simplest and most universally recognized form, while the carved sunburst symbol evoked divine light and spiritual protection. These modestly made pendants reflect the deep, folk-level piety that characterized daily religious life from the 12th to 15th centuries.
Care
To maintain the beauty and integrity of your purchase, we recommend treating it with care. Simple maintenance practices, such as gentle washing and proper storage, can effectively preserve the longevity of your favorites. We encourage you to refer to the care instructions included with each item, designed to help you keep your purchase in top condition.
Authenticity
Each artifact we offer has been carefully examined by qualified professionals to ensure its authenticity. Our assessment considers historical style, craftsmanship, materials, and the wider typology of comparable pieces.
Because historical scholarship evolves, we offer a lifelong authenticity guarantee: if two independent, accredited laboratories ever determine that an item is not genuine, we will refund you in full.
What size is this ring?
The EU size of this ring is:
The US size of this ring is:
You can find information about ring sizes and how to determine your own, here.