Cross. Byzantine culture, 6th-8th century AD . Gold and

Cross. Byzantine culture, 6th-8th century AD .
Gold and garnet.
Provenance: Iconastas, Piccadilly Arcade, St. James's, London.
Weight: 2.24 gr.
Measurements: 3 cm (height), 2.5 cm (width).
An elegant gold Byzantine cross pendant centred by a cabochon garnet, framed by a circular border. The jewellery has a suspension loop at the top to hold it in place, and arms in the form of conical segments.
In the Byzantine Empire, the cross came to represent the crucifixion and the promise of salvation and eternal life, and thus the symbol was incorporated into many different forms of jewellery.