{"product_id":"medieval-bronze-cross-pendant-hope-10th-13th-c-ce","title":"Medieval Bronze Cross Pendant - 'Hope' (10th–13th c. CE)","description":"\u003cp\u003eA Medieval bronze cross pendant named 'Hope', with bulbous ends and a broad rounded-square centre, expressing Christian faith through a simple, compact silhouette.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe Motif:\u003cbr\u003eBulbous ends mark the four arms, which meet at a broad centre with a rounded-square outline. The decoration is restrained, with the overall form taking precedence over the small softened surface marks. Rounded terminals give the cross a compact shape, and the enlarged crossing creates its principal visual focus. The broad centre keeps the arrangement simple, with no prominent figural scene. In Christian devotion, the cross signifies salvation and hope; this small pendant expresses that association through the emblem's recognizable silhouette rather than through a portrait or extended inscription.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eDetails:\u003cbr\u003eMaterial: Bronze\u003cbr\u003eDimensions: Overall height: 24 mm; Width: 16 mm; Thickness: 3 mm\u003cbr\u003eWeight: 1.6 g\u003cbr\u003eCondition: Bulbous ends and broad rounded-square centre preserved; surface deposits and small softened marks remain.\u003cbr\u003eProvenance: Private collection, the Netherlands; acquired by Aurora Antiqua in September 2026.\u003cbr\u003eUnique Identifier: P-50-B\u003cbr\u003eAuthenticity: Comes with certificate of authenticity\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eCondition and Authenticity:\u003cbr\u003eOffered in its present condition. A Certificate of Authenticity is included.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eHistorical Context:\u003cbr\u003eThe attribution follows comparison with published examples. Plain cross pendants use shape as the primary bearer of devotional meaning. Rykunova and Rykunov (2020), p. 167, Fig. 4:21–24, give a broad form comparison for swollen terminals and enlarged centres, with substantial variation among the published specimens. This pendant’s bulbous ends and broad plain crossing belong to its own design. Such crosses could express Christian faith without the addition of a saint’s portrait or written formula. The broad centre adds a visual emphasis to the simple devotional design, while the rounded ends define the four directions of the emblem.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eIts simple silhouette carries the cross as a direct emblem of hope, faith and spiritual protection.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eExplore more \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/orthodox-crosses-encolpia\"\u003ecrosses and encolpia\u003c\/a\u003e from our collection.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Aurora Antiqua","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":63775838667082,"sku":"P-50-B","price":200.0,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0897\/7140\/9738\/files\/p-50-b-bronze-cross-pendant-object-view-1-1.jpg?v=1790931683","url":"https:\/\/auroraantiqua.com\/products\/medieval-bronze-cross-pendant-hope-10th-13th-c-ce","provider":"Aurora Antiqua","version":"1.0","type":"link"}