Pectoral reliquary cross, walrus ivory, Anglo-Saxon (possibly Gloucester), late 10th or early 11th century

Walrus ivory cross. Above, the Hand of God (dextera dei) descends from a cloud above a figure of the crucified Christ. Christ appears to stand before the cross rather than being nailed to it, his feet standing on a suppedaneum.
Four roundels bear the emblems of the evangelists. At the top left the Angel of St Matthew, at the top right the Eagle of St John, at the bottom left the Bull of St Luke and at the bottom right the Lion of St Mark (now illegible).
The piece has an oval shape and is very worn, the detail on the figure and emblems has been lost. The work is pierced by thirteen small round holes. At the back is a hollow cross-shaped receptacle for a relic.

Purchased under the bequest of Francis Reubell Bryan

Bequest of the late Francis Reubell Bryan. Formerly in the Gambier-Parry collection, Highnam Court.

The figure style and the particular iconographic feature of the Dextera Dei also link the cross with monumental pre-Conquest stone sculptures, such as Stepney and Romsey, datable to the late 10th or early 11th century.

Pectoral crosses were worn on a chain or cord around the neck, and acted as charms to protect the wearer. The pectoral cross was commonly worn by bishops and abbots in the medieval period.
The figure style and the particular iconographic feature of the Dextera Dei also link the cross with monumental pre-Conquest stone sculptures, such as Stepney and Romsey, datable to the late 10th or early 11th century.

A.10-1921