Orthodox baptismal cross | 24859

Material: bronze/brass/yellow metal/copper.

Cross with spear and hyssop stem. Inscription: “King of glory, Jesus Christ, Son of God”.

Back: probably: Psalm 68,1/2: “Let God arise, let His enemies be scattered; And let those who hate Him flee before Him.”

The Russian cross also “Orthodox cross”, Byzantine cross or Slavic cross is a special form of the Latin cross in heraldry with two horizontal and one inclined cross arm:

The top, short cross arm represents the titulus board on which the inscription INRI could be read when Jesus was crucified, the initials for the Latin phrase Iesus Nazarenus Rex Iudaeorum – “Jesus of Nazareth, King of the Jews”.

The middle, longer cross arm was intended to attach the arms of a crucified person.

The lower, inclined cross arm represents the suppedaneum (supporting footplate, footstep, footstool) on which the crucified were placed.

Writing heavily rubbed off.

To be seen in: Opdebeeck, Jos – Metalen Ikonen – Blauwdruk van een verzameling, Campinia Media vzw, 1997, ISBN: 90.356.1088, Page: 136