{"product_id":"18th-century-russian-orthodox-radiant-crown-pectoral-cross-golgotha-passion-symbols","title":"18th Century Russian Orthodox “Radiant Crown” Pectoral Cross – Golgotha \u0026 Passion Symbols","description":"\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e- Listing by Walter Jr \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e This wonderful old cross has clearly traveled a very long road. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e Dating to approximately the \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s2\"\u003e18th century\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e, this antique Russian Orthodox pectoral cross belongs to an especially interesting type sometimes called the \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s2\"\u003e“Radiant Crown.”\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e Cast in an old copper or bronze alloy, its wonderfully primitive form is filled with Christian symbolism which would have been immediately understood by the person who once wore it.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e At the heart of the design is \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s2\"\u003eGolgotha — the Holy Cross of Our Lord Jesus Christ.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e Surrounding the Cross are projecting rays, giving the little object its unusual and almost sun-like appearance. These radiant forms beautifully express the victory and glory of the Cross — no longer simply the instrument of Christ’s suffering, but the means through which death itself was conquered.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e Also incorporated into the traditional imagery are the \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s2\"\u003einstruments of the Passion\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e: the spear which pierced the side of Our Lord, and the reed or cane associated with the sponge offered to Him during the Crucifixion. These ancient symbols appear again and again upon Russian Orthodox crosses and were meant to place the whole mystery of Calvary before the eyes of the believer. Similar 18th-century examples retain these very details. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e The radiating and almost growing forms surrounding the Cross may also recall the old Orthodox image of the \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s2\"\u003e“flourishing Cross” — the Cross transformed into the Tree of Life.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003eRussian Christian art used flowering and growing forms around the Cross to express resurrection, renewal and the extraordinary Christian belief that the instrument of death itself had “blossomed” into the source of eternal life. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e This particular example has tremendous age and devotional wear. Much of the original relief has softened almost completely from centuries of handling, wearing, burial or exposure, leaving behind only traces of the imagery that once covered its surface.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003eTo me, that only makes it more moving.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e This was not made to sit behind glass. It was made to be \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s2\"\u003eworn against the body\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e, carried through ordinary work, prayer, hardship and an entire human life. We will never know the name of the Christian who once wore it, but the wear upon its surface is a quiet testimony that this little Cross was no mere ornament.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003eThe original suspension loop remains at the top, while the wonderfully irregular surface retains its deep old patina, mineral deposits and centuries of wear. One or more of the projecting rays may have suffered loss over its very long life; please examine the photographs carefully, as they form an important part of the description.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e A remarkable little survivor from the Christian world of \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s2\"\u003e18th-century Russia\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e — centered upon Golgotha, the Passion of Our Lord, the Tree of Life and the greatest sign of our salvation:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s2\"\u003ethe Holy Cross of Jesus Christ.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Cukierski Family","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":42895851552848,"sku":null,"price":149.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0205\/9182\/files\/219E7B29-8B7B-4A08-94B9-7E5566580AAF.png?v=1788553514","url":"https:\/\/www.cukierski.net\/products\/18th-century-russian-orthodox-radiant-crown-pectoral-cross-golgotha-passion-symbols","provider":"Cukierski Family","version":"1.0","type":"link"}