Russian Three Bar Crucifix

Fourteen inches of bronze, and hardly a square inch left idle.

This three bar crucifix comes from Russia and dates to the 18th or 19th century. It is bronze with enamel. Russian Orthodox households set metal crosses like this in the icon corner for daily prayer, and the form was also favored by many Old Believers, who valued its durability. Christ hangs in relief at the center, beneath a figure in the upper arm and a row of winged heads. Domed buildings appear behind the slanted lower bar, and lettering runs along the arms. Dark and white enamel survives in the recesses. Fourteen inches high and seven wide.

Its makers left little room for doubt, or for anything else.