12th century AD. A substantial bronze enkolpion reliquary cross pendant with facing nimbate image of Christ on cross on one side, the head surmounted by the titulum, incised Greek inscription '?? ?? ????' (Iesus Christos Nika = Jesus Christ will triumph), to each arm a central nimbate bust of an Evangelist or Prophet; on the other side the full figure of saint Mary Theotokos, with the child in her arms, Greek inscription beside Mary ?? ?? (Meter Theou = Mother of God) and ?? ?? again beside the infant; to each arm central nimbate busts of evangelists or prophets; hinged loop with ribbing. Cf. Wamser, L., Die Welt von Byzanz - Europas Östliches Erbe, München, 2004, item 256, for type.140 grams, 12.7cm (5"). Property of an Austrian private collector since the 1970s. This example is an interesting variant of a group that provides the prototype for the relief crosses of the 10th-12th centuries with Christ and the Mother of God.