Russian Bronze Cross Pendant

Plain dark cross with a tiny round emblem pressed near its base.

This cross pendant from Novgorod is from Novgorod, Russia, and dates to the late 17th or early 18th century. It is bronze. Bronze is an alloy of copper and tin that casts well in fine detail, which made it a common choice for small devotional objects. Flat pendant cross with a small hanging loop and a tapering stem. Lettered marks appear in the upper panel and on the arms, and a small round emblem is pressed near the foot. The surface is very dark and smooth. It is 1 inches long and 1.75 high.

Spare, sober and a bit mysterious at the bottom.