Necklace with Crucifix from Egypt: 7th century AD

A cross is suspended from the twisted silver wire, with the crucified Christ flanked by the heads of the four Evangelists. This is an early example - thirteen hundred years old - of a type of necklace nowadays very popular and worn widely in all three countries. The figure on the cross shows the strong stylisation typical of Coptic (Egyptian Christian) art.

© 1998 Oxfordshire Museum Service, Setúbal Museums and the Benaki Museum