TWO BYZANTINE BRONZE RELIQUARY CROSSES Circa 10th-12th century AD. Two halves of reliquary crosses (enkolpia) depicting Virgin Mary with her hands upraised in prayer ('orans'). On the larger cross to the sides of Mary the abbreviation (barred) MP - ΘV (ΜΗΤΗΡ ΘΕΟΥ - Mother of God). The smaller cross pierced for suspension. H 68 mm, and H 38 mm
Ex European private collection, acquired on the German art market between 2002-2009.