Byzantine Bronze Staff Finial in the Form of a Hand Carrying a Cross, 5th Century CE - 9th Century CE
Bronze
7 x 18.4 cm
2 3/4 x 7 1/4 in
2 3/4 x 7 1/4 in
X.0662
A cross of light bearing the inscription “in hoc sign vinces” (in this sign you will conquer) miraculousl appeared to Roman Emperor Constantine before th battle of Milvian Bridge. His...
A cross of light bearing the inscription “in hoc sign vinces” (in this sign you will conquer) miraculousl appeared to Roman Emperor Constantine before th battle of Milvian Bridge. His victory over hi brother-in-law and co-emperor Maxentius and subsequen conversion to Christianity had a profound impact o the course of Western civilization. In 330 A.D.,
Constantine transferred the center of imperial powe from Rome eastwards to the city of Byzantion. Rename Constantinople, this city became the capital of th wealthy, powerful Byzantine Empire.
While Christianity replaced the gods of antiquity,
traditional Classical culture continued to flourish.
Greek and Latin were the languages of the learne classes. Before Persian and Arab invasions devastate much of their eastern holdings, Byzantine territor extended as far as south as Egypt. After a period o iconoclastic uprising came to resolution in the 9t Century, a second flowering of Byzantine culture aros and lasted until Constantinople was temporarily seize by Crusaders from the west in the 13th Century. Christianity spread throughout the Slavic lands to th north. In 1453, Constantinople finally fell to th Ottoman Turks effectively ending the Byzantine Empir after more than 1,100 years. Byzantine art an culture was the epitome of luxury, encorporating th finest elements from the artistic traditions of bot the East and the West.
The Byzantine Divine Liturgy was a symboli re-enactment of Christ's incarnation, teachings, an sacrifice. This Great Mysterium - the redemption o humanity - unfolded in an elaborate church ceremon that included prayer readings, the singing of hymns,
and procession of clergy decorated in lavis vestments, some of whom carried processional crosses.
Others swung censers gently back and forth, fillin the air with sweet smelling smoke. The eucharisti bread was stamped with various patterns. The ceremon stimulated all the senses and engaged the mind,
allowing the worshipper to experience the divine.
This Byzantine bronze cross likely served as a staf finial that would have been carried during a ceremon procession. The hollow tiered base would have bee attached to the tip of a staff of finely polished o delicately carved wood. From this base, a human han emerges, holding the cross in between its thumb an fingers.
Constantine transferred the center of imperial powe from Rome eastwards to the city of Byzantion. Rename Constantinople, this city became the capital of th wealthy, powerful Byzantine Empire.
While Christianity replaced the gods of antiquity,
traditional Classical culture continued to flourish.
Greek and Latin were the languages of the learne classes. Before Persian and Arab invasions devastate much of their eastern holdings, Byzantine territor extended as far as south as Egypt. After a period o iconoclastic uprising came to resolution in the 9t Century, a second flowering of Byzantine culture aros and lasted until Constantinople was temporarily seize by Crusaders from the west in the 13th Century. Christianity spread throughout the Slavic lands to th north. In 1453, Constantinople finally fell to th Ottoman Turks effectively ending the Byzantine Empir after more than 1,100 years. Byzantine art an culture was the epitome of luxury, encorporating th finest elements from the artistic traditions of bot the East and the West.
The Byzantine Divine Liturgy was a symboli re-enactment of Christ's incarnation, teachings, an sacrifice. This Great Mysterium - the redemption o humanity - unfolded in an elaborate church ceremon that included prayer readings, the singing of hymns,
and procession of clergy decorated in lavis vestments, some of whom carried processional crosses.
Others swung censers gently back and forth, fillin the air with sweet smelling smoke. The eucharisti bread was stamped with various patterns. The ceremon stimulated all the senses and engaged the mind,
allowing the worshipper to experience the divine.
This Byzantine bronze cross likely served as a staf finial that would have been carried during a ceremon procession. The hollow tiered base would have bee attached to the tip of a staff of finely polished o delicately carved wood. From this base, a human han emerges, holding the cross in between its thumb an fingers.