ANTIQUE LATE VIKING AGE c.1100-1200s SMALL BYZANTINE ORTHODOX \"SUN\" SOLAR CROSS For Sale

Antique medieval small (approx. 15/16\" to 1\" tall with solid bale loop; weight approx. 1.8 g)two-sided Cross pendantfeaturingancient Byzantine Orthodoxdesignwitharmsof equal length (also known as a Greek cross). Its centerpiece incorporates a prehistoric symbol of an equilateral crossinside a circle known as the Sun cross, solar cross or a wheel cross. In a Christian context, the\"Sun Cross\" design could symbolically represent Jesus as \"thesun of righteousness\" (Malachi 4:2) and His preaching, \"I am thelight of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness\" (John8:12).Crosses of the same design are dated c.12-13thcentury (please see the last picture for a reference). Such crosses arebelieved to have traveled across Europe during the Viking Age, a period ofNordic military, mercantile and demographic expansion via the trade routecalled \"From the Varangians to the Greeks\" connecting Scandinavia,Baltic countries, Kievan Rus and the Byzantine Empire.

The Cross offered for sale appears to have been hand made from bronze orsimilar historical metal alloy of unknown composition. The item shows significantvisible signs of wear and aging consistent with its centuries-old age, such asdeformations of its original shape, dents, chipped off or corroded particles ofmetal,and original partially cleaned patina.The superficial layer of its original thick patina with some spots of powdery oxidation and local corrosion have been removed using gentle manual cleaning and polishing. There is no wax or any other protective coating on top of metal.Please be awarethatany attempts to use chemical cleaners will change/destroy itsoriginal patina, and the force applied during cleaning can break the item.Wearing the Cross on one’s bare skin could also cause discoloration due tocontact with bodily fluid chemicals. In addition, theaged metal might become too fragile for everyday wearing of this Cross as apiece of jewelry. Therefore, the Cross is sold “AS IS” as a collectibleitem.The size and weight of the pendant are shown on the photographs forthis listing.

Please examine all photographs carefully and do your own research if necessary. Please note that photographs are an important part of the item\'s description. The measuring meter and electronic scale are not for sale, and might be photographed with the item in order to provide a size and weight reference.Please ask all questions before making a purchase.There are no guarantees with the listing because most items are original vintage or antique objects that are quite old and could be fragile. All items are sold \"as is\" with no returns because of a change of mind offered. Will ship to the USA only.