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Medieval Bronze Cross 'Vigilia' (11th-14th c. CE)
€170,00
Material:
- Bronze
Era:
- Medieval
Rarity:
- Common
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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
This medieval bronze cross pendant, named Vigilia, dates to the 11th-14th century and features a short-armed, equal-armed form with deeply incised concentric circles at each terminal. These "eye" or target motifs likely served apotropaic purposes, believed to ward off evil. Its solid, flat structure and narrow suspension loop suggest it was made for continuous personal wear by a lay Christian or pilgrim.
Its stylistic traits are characteristic of crosses from the Byzantine-influenced Balkans and the wider Kievan Rus' region, where Christian faith and protective symbolism were deeply intertwined.
Details:
Era: Medieval, 11th-14th Century AD
Material: Bronze
Height: 31 mm
Condition: Intact with visible patina and historical wear
Provenance: From a private Belgian collection, acquired in the 1960s
Unique Identifier: P-M-15-B
Restoration and Authenticity:
This cross pendant is preserved in its original, unrestored state, with the natural aging of the bronze surface visible. An optional restoration service is available for those wishing to reveal more of its original detail while maintaining historical integrity. The pendant is guaranteed authentic and includes a lifetime Certificate of Authenticity.
Historical Context:
During the High to Late Middle Ages, crosses like Vigilia were commonly worn across Eastern Europe, especially in regions where Orthodox and Western Christianity overlapped. The use of concentric circle motifs reflects both religious devotion and ancient traditions of protective talismans. Pendants of this type were functional symbols of identity, belief, and spiritual safeguarding.
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.