Early Byzantine, 7th C. BZ.1938.2 The association of a cross and two amulet cases illustrates the blending of Christian and Pagan methods of personal protection. Prayres or incantations would have been folded and placed in the amulet cases. On the cross Christ, above, and the Virgin and Child, below, and archangels form a Christian microcasm--heavenly, earthly and intermediate positions--served as protectors of the Christian spheres of existance.
aperture=f4.0 focal length: 60.0 mm exposure 1/160 sec ISO: 2000