Cross
- Inv. #
- М-4481
- Century
- 19th century
- Dimensions
- 19.60 × 11.40 × 0.80 cm
Description
An eight-pointed cross of blessing; at the center is a depiction of the Crucifixion of Christ. Above Christ's head are the letters "INRI" ("Jesus of Nazareth, King of the Jews"); to the left and right of the side arms, "IC" and "XC" ("Jesus Christ"). Above and below the side arms of the cross are the inscriptions: "THE CRUCIFIXION / OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST / WE WORSHIP THY CROSS / AND GLORIFY THY RESURRECTION." At the top of the cross is a depiction of God the Father amid clouds; below, the Holy Spirit as a dove, flanked by Angels of the Lord and the inscription "TSR" and "SLVY" ("King of Glory"). To the left and right of the lower part of the cross are the instruments of the Passion — a spear and a reed — beneath which are depictions of Golgotha and the Head of Adam. The cross is decorated with dark-blue, light-blue, and white enamel. The reverse is plain, with inscriptions at the top (poorly legible).
The cross entered the holdings of the Kharkiv Historical Museum by decision of the State Customs Committee of Ukraine and the National Committee for the Return of Cultural Property to Ukraine under the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine in 1995. It had been seized by the Boryspil customs post in 1991–1993.