Ca. 1000-1300 AD. Medieval Europe. A finely modelled cast bronze reliquary cross composed of three parts: two crosses that fit together, a large loop for suspension, and a hinged base. Made of bronze, it is decorated with the image of Christ with his arms outstretched on one side; the other side is decorated with a standing human figure. Good condition. This type of cross could open and was made to hold a small relic or a prayer document. Relics, as the physical remains of saints or objects associated with Christ, held tremendous power in medieval Christianity. Such crosses were worn by the knights who fought in the Holy Lands. For more information on reliquary crosses, see Boas, A. J. (2016). Crusader Archaeology - The Material Culture of the Latin East. Taylor & Francis, 158. Size: L:87mm / W:50mm ; 45g. Provenance: From an old British collection, acquired on the UK art market in the 1980s.