Rare pectoral crosses of the 15th - 16th centuries depicting Jesus Christ and selected saints

2024 Author: Richard Flannagan | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-15 23:55

Continuing the article "Pectoral keeled crosses of the 15th - 16th centuries with the image of the Theotokos, Jesus Christ and selected saints", let us dwell in more detail on the Russian crosses of that period with the image of Jesus Christ.

Describing rare crosses of the second half of the 15th - 16th centuries. it is impossible to ignore the group of crosses with the image of the Savior Not Made by Hands in the middle of the cross. Despite the fact that these crosses are not rare, they were very popular, which contributed to the emergence of many varieties.

As mentioned earlier, the image of the Savior Not Made by Hands since the late 13th-early 14th centuries is characteristic of Moscow and reflects the tendency to build the first Moscow churches in honor of the Savior. The wide distribution of this image on body crosses emphasized the belonging of the one who wore the cross to the young state of Moscow Rus. All well-known schools that joined the Moscow principality and were obliged, at the direction of the church, to follow the samples created by Moscow craftsmen, contributed to the iconography of these crosses. And of course, local masters tried to emphasize the features of their art school in these works.

Cross at number 70 bears in the middle of the cross the image of the Savior Not Made by Hands with horizontal blades at the edges. Theotokos and the Myrrh-Bearing Wives on the right and John the Theologian and Longinus the Centurion on the left. In the upper extension of the tree there is an inscription in two lines ICXC / MPW … In the keeled ending, separated from the image of the Savior by a plate with the inscription NIKOL, there is the image of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker. The reverse side is smooth. The head is in the form of a wide lug with a relief cross in a rhombus. The keel end has decorative cutouts.

The cross at number 71 bears in the middle of the cross the image of the Savior Not Made by Hands with the forthcoming Mother of God and the Myrrh-Bearing Wife on the right and John the Theologian and Longinus the centurion on the left. In the upper extension of the tree there is an inscription in two lines IСХС / MPW … In the keeled ending, separated from the image of the Savior by a plate with the inscription NIKOLA, the image of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker in a rectangular hallmark. The head is in the form of a faceted bead with the image of the face of a seraphim in a rhombus. The keel end has decorative cutouts. The reverse side is smooth.

Double-sided crosses numbered 72-73 bear on the obverse in the middle of the cross the image of the Savior Not Made by Hands, with the forthcoming Mother of God on the right and John the Theologian on the left in square hallmarks. In the upper extension of the tree there is an inscription in two lines MPW / IСХС … In the keeled ending, separated from the image of the Savior by a plate with the inscription NIKO, the image of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker. The head is in the form of a faceted bead with a cross in a rhombus. No. 73 without a cross. The keel end has small decorative cutouts. The reverse side bears the image of the Calvary cross with a wreath in the middle of the cross, a spear and cane and a braid below. In the upper extension of the tree there is an inscription CRS under the title. In the hallmarks of the edges of the horizontal blades IC XC under titles. In keeled ending NIK under the title. Considering the primitive execution of images # 73, the cross is a modified copy of the cross at # 70

Cross at number 74 bears in the middle cross the image of the Savior Not Made by Hands with horizontal blades at the edges. The Virgin on the right and John the Theologian and on the left in square hallmarks. In the upper extension of the tree there is an inscription in two lines MPΘIO / ICXC … In the keeled ending, separated from the image of the Savior by a plate with the inscription NIKOLA, the image of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker in a rectangular hallmark. The reverse side is smooth. The head is in the form of a faceted bead with a relief cross in a rhombus. The keel-like ending has a spear-like ending.

Cross at number 75 bears in the middle cross the image of the Savior Not Made by Hands with horizontal blades at the edges. Theotokos on the right and John the Evangelist and on the left. In the upper extension of the tree there is an inscription in two lines MPΘIO / ICXC … In the keeled ending, separated from the image of the Savior by a plate with the inscription NIKOLA, the image of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker in a rectangular hallmark. The reverse side is smooth. The head is in the form of a faceted bead. The keel end has decorative cutouts.

Cross numbered 76 bears in the middle cross the image of the Savior Not Made by Hands with horizontal blades at the edges. Theotokos and on the right and John the Evangelist on the left. In the upper extension of the tree there is an inscription in two lines. In the keel there is a prominent end, separated from the image of the Savior by a plate with an inscription in two lines, the image of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker. The reverse side is smooth. The head is in the form of a faceted bead. The keel-like ending has a spear-like ending.

The cross at number 77 bears the image of the Savior Not Made by Hands in the middle of the cross. In the upper extension of the tree there is an inscription ICXC … On the sides NI KA … In the keeled ending, separated from the image of the Savior by the inscription NI is the image of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker. The reverse side is smooth. The head is in the form of a wide ear. The keel-like ending has a spear-like ending.

The double-sided cross at number 78 carries the image of the Savior Not Made by Hands in the middle of the cross, with the forthcoming Mother of God on the right and John the Theologian on the left. In the upper extension of the tree there is an inscription in two lines IСХСI / MΘ / IO … In the keeled ending, separated from the image of the Savior by a plate with the inscription NIKOLA, the image of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker. The head is in the form of a faceted bead with an embossed cross in a rhombus. The keel end has small decorative cutouts. On the reverse side is a depressed image of St. martyr or martyr in full growth, this indicates the custom-made nature of the work performed. The image is executed in a graphic manner, in contrast to the relief images of the front side, obviously the master depicted the patron saint of the customer on the back side of the standard cross. Cross No. 78A is one-sided, distinguished by its head and small details.

Cross number 79 bears in the middle of the cross the image of the Savior Not Made by Hands, with the forthcoming Mother of God on the right and John the Theologian on the left. In the upper extension of the tree and above the images of the forthcoming tape, poorly readable inscriptions. In the continuation of the tree and in the keeled end, there are two images of saints framed along the edge of the cross with ribbon inscriptions. The head is in the form of a faceted bead with an embossed cross in a rhombus. The keel end has small decorative cutouts. The reverse side is smooth. The design of the cross has something in common with the design of the monastic clothing “schema”.

Cross number 80 bears in the middle cross the image of the Savior Not Made by Hands in a small round medallion. In the upper extension of the tree there is an inscription ICXC … Along the edges of the horizontal blades there is an image of the Theotokos and John the Theologian. In the keeled ending, separated from the image of the Savior by the inscription NIK0 the image of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker. The reverse side is smooth. The head is in the form of a faceted bead with an indented oblique cross. The keel end has small decorative cutouts. The cross is cast in silver.

Cross numbered 81 and 81 A, in the middle of the cross, bears the image of the Savior Not Made by Hands in a round medallion. In the upper extension of the tree there is an inscription ICXC … Along the edges of the horizontal blades there is an image of the Theotokos and John the Theologian. In the keeled ending, separated from the image of the Savior by the inscription NIKO the image of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker. The reverse side is smooth. The head is in the form of a flat, faceted ear. The keel end has small decorative cutouts. Cross # 81 is cast in silver.

Cross number 82 carries in the middle cross the image of the Savior Not Made by Hands in a round medallion. In the upper extension of the tree there is an inscription ICX under the title. Along the edges of the horizontal blades there is an image of the Theotokos and John the Theologian. In the keeled ending, separated from the image of the Savior by the inscription NIK, the image of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker. The reverse side is smooth. The head is in the form of a faceted bead. The keel end has small decorative cutouts. Cross number 83 bears in the middle of the cross the image of the Savior Not Made by Hands in a round medallion. In the upper extension of the tree there is an inscription in two lines MPΘI / ICXC … Along the edges of the horizontal blades there is an image of the Theotokos and John the Theologian. In the keeled ending, separated from the image of the Savior by the inscription NIK, the image of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker. The reverse side is smooth. The head is in the form of a faceted bead. The keel end has small decorative cutouts.

Cross number 84 bears in the middle of the cross the image of the Savior Not Made by Hands with horizontal blades at the edges. The Virgin on the right and John the Theologian and on the left in square hallmarks. In the upper extension of the tree there is an inscription in two lines MPΘIO / ICXC … In the keeled ending, separated from the image of the Savior by a plate with the inscription NIK, the image of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker in a rectangular hallmark. The reverse side is smooth. The head is in the form of a faceted bead with a relief cross in a rhombus. The keel end has decorative cutouts.

The cross at number 85 bears in the middle cross the image of the Savior Not Made by Hands in a round medallion. All the inscriptions on the cross are also placed in round medallions. In the upper extension of the tree there is an inscription TsRSΛ under the title. On the sides of the IC XC. On the tree of the cross, in front of the keeled end, in a round stamp there is an inscription NIKO under the title. In a keeled ending in a round medallion there is an image of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker. The reverse side is smooth. The head is in the form of a wide lug. The keel-like end has a spear-like end with small notches.

Cross numbered 86 bears the image of the Savior Not Made by Hands in the middle of the cross. In the upper extension of the tree there is an inscription in a square stamp ICXC … Along the edges of the horizontal blades there is an image of the forthcoming ones, the Mother of God and John the Theologian. In the keeled ending, separated from the image of the Savior by the inscription NIKI, the image of the martyr Nikita slaying the demon. The reverse side is smooth. The head is in the form of a faceted bead. The keel end has small decorative cutouts.

Cross number 87 bears in the middle of the cross the image of the Savior Not Made by Hands in a round medallion. In the upper extension of the tree there is a drawing in a square stamp in the form of a dove, the image of the Holy Spirit. Along the edges of the horizontal blades, in square stamps, there is an image of the Theotokos and John the Theologian. In the keeled ending, separated from the image of the Savior by an inscription in three lines IСХС / ЦРСΛ / NIKI, the image of the martyr Nikita slaying the demon. The reverse side is smooth. The head is in the form of a faceted bead. The keel end has small decorative cutouts.

Cross number 88 bears in the middle cross the image of the Savior Not Made by Hands in a round medallion. In the upper extension of the tree there is an inscription in two lines Θ / ICX in a diamond-shaped medallion. Along the edges of the horizontal blades there is an image of the Theotokos and John the Evangelist in diamond-shaped medallions. On the tree of the cross between the image of the Savior and the keeled end there is a diamond-shaped medallion with the inscription NIKO … In the keeled ending, in the arched medallion there is an image of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker. The reverse side is smooth. The head is in the form of a faceted bead. The keel end has small decorative cutouts. Judging by the images, the cross is a local modified version.

Cross number 89 bears the image of the Savior Not Made by Hands in the middle of the cross. The entire artistic solution of the cross consists in placing paired images of saints on its plane, in rectangular stamps. The conventionality of the images does not allow one to accurately attribute who is depicted on the cross. But judging by the number, we can assume the image of the twelve apostles. The reverse side is smooth. The head is in the form of a faceted bead. The keel end has small decorative cutouts.

Cross at number 90 bears in the middle cross the image of the Savior Not Made by Hands in a medallion with an arched top. In the upper extension of the tree in a round medallion there is an inscription ICX under the title. Along the edges of the horizontal blades there is an image of the Theotokos and John the Theologian. On the tree of the cross between the image of the Savior and the keeled end there is a round medallion with the inscription NIKO. In the keeled ending, in the arched medallion there is an image of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker. The reverse side is smooth. The head is in the form of a faceted bead with an unclear image in a rhombus. The keel end has small decorative cutouts.

Cross number 91 bears in the middle cross the image of the Savior Not Made by Hands in a medallion with an arched top. In the upper extension of the tree there is an inscription in two lines MΘ / ICX in a square frame. Along the edges of the horizontal blades there is an image of the Virgin and John the Evangelist in medallions with an arched top. On the tree of the cross between the image of the Savior and the keeled end there is a medallion with an arched top and an inscription NIKO … In the keeled ending, in the arched medallion there is an image of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker. The reverse side is smooth. The head is in the form of a faceted bead with the face of a seraphim in a rhombus. The keel end has small decorative cutouts.

Cross at number 92 carries in the middle of the cross the image of the Savior Not Made by Hands, with the forthcoming Mother of God on the right and John the Theologian on the left. In the upper extension of the tree there is an inscription in two lines MPΘIO / IСХС … In the continuation of the tree and in the keeled end, there are two images of saints in rectangular stamps with an inscription above. The table of contents is in the form of a faceted bead with a depressed image of the Prepared Throne. The keel end has decorative cutouts. The reverse side is smooth. Pectoral.

Cross number 93 bears in the middle of the cross the image of the Savior Not Made by Hands, with the forthcoming Mother of God on the right and John the Theologian on the left. In the upper extension of the tree there is an inscription in two lines MPΘIO / IСХС … In the continuation of the tree and in the keeled end, there are two images of saints in rectangular stamps with an inscription above. This cross has a movable head. The keel end has decorative cutouts. The reverse side is smooth. Crosses No. 92-93 are pectoral crosses in size and are described here in order to show the spread of this iconography to all types of personal crosses.

Cross No. 94 bears in the middle of the cross the image of the Savior Not Made by Hands in a round medallion. All the inscriptions on the cross are also placed in round medallions. In the upper extension of the tree there is an inscription TsRSΛ under the title. On the sides ICX CDI under titles. On the tree of the cross, in front of the keeled end, in a round stamp there is an inscription NIKO under the title. In a keeled ending in a round medallion there is an image of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker. The reverse side is smooth. The head is in the form of a faceted bead. The keel-like end has a spear-like end.

Cross No. 95 bears in the middle of the cross the image of the Savior Not Made by Hands in a round medallion. The inscriptions are also placed in the round medallions. In the upper extension of the tree and in the keeled end. In the upper extension of the tree there is an inscription TsRSL under the title. On the sides in rhombic stamps IIC / HRC under titles. At the bottom CBNI under titles. On the tree of the cross, in front of the keeled end, in a rectangular hallmark is the image of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker. The reverse side is smooth. The head is in the form of a wide ear. The keel-like ending has a spear-like ending.

The double-sided cross at number 96 on the front side bears the image of the Savior Not Made by Hands in the middle of the cross, with the forthcoming Mother of God on the right and John the Theologian on the left. In the upper extension of the tree there is an inscription in two lines MPΘIO / ICXC under titles. In the keeled ending, separated from the image of the Savior by a plate with the inscription NIKI, the image of the martyr Nikita of Gotha, in his right hand the saint holds a cross. On the reverse side of the cross is the traditional image of the Archangel Michael with a sword and scabbard in his hands. At the top there is an inscription in two lines. The lace hole in these crosses runs at the top of the cross itself. Among the keeled body crosses, the pronounced silhouette of which can be attributed to the Moscow type, there are also crosses of other casting traditions. The powerful school of Tver foundry workers continued to struggle for survival. On the presented double-sided cross of the "Tver" type, there is a beautifully embodied image of the Savior Not Made by Hands and a magnificently carved, in good volume, the image of the Archangel Michael.

The double-sided cross at number 97 on the obverse bears in the middle cross the image of the Savior Not Made by Hands, with the forthcoming Mother of God on the right and John the Theologian on the left in rectangular hallmarks. In the upper extension of the tree, there are two flying angels in a square brand. Below is a sign with the inscription ICXC … In the continuation of the tree and in the keeled end, the image of two saints under the inscriptions in rectangular stamps. The reverse side is occupied by a full-length image of St. Nicholas the Pleasant. At the top there is a two-line inscription. At the ends of the horizontal blades there are images of cherubs in rectangular stamps. The cord hole is traditional. In addition to the iconography characteristic of the heyday of the variety of images on pectoral crosses, the Tver and Novgorod crosses of this period receive extensions at the ends of the tree, thereby approaching the all-Russian, mass form of pectoral crosses. This significantly distinguishes them from the earlier, straight pectoral crosses, widespread in the area of existence.

The double-sided cross at number 98 on the obverse carries in the middle cross the image of the Savior Not Made by Hands in a round medallion, with the forthcoming Mother of God on the right and John the Theologian on the left. In the upper extension of the tree there is an inscription in two lines MPIO / ICXC … In a keeled ending, the image of Nikolai the Ugodnik under the inscription in a rectangular stamp NIK … In the middle of the cross on the reverse side there is an image of St. Sergius of Radonezh. Above, in a rectangular stamp, the inscription CEPG … At the ends of the horizontal blades there are images of seven-pointed crosses in rectangular stamps. In the lower extension of the tree there is an image of a saint in a rectangular stamp with an inscription at the top. The cord hole is traditional.

The cross at number 99 bears in the middle of the cross the image of the Savior Not Made by Hands, with the forthcoming Mother of God on the right and John the Theologian on the left. In the upper extension of the tree there is an inscription in two lines MPCXC / ΘIIO ? In the keeled ending, separated from the image of the Savior by a plate with the inscription NIKI, the image of the martyr Nikita of Gotsky with a cross in his right hand. The reverse side is smooth. The cord hole is located traditionally. The cross at number 100 bears in the middle of the cross the image of the Savior Not Made by Hands, with the forthcoming Mother of God on the right and John the Theologian on the left. In the upper extension of the tree there is an inscription in two lines MPΘW / ICXCI … In a keeled ending, in a rectangular hallmark, there is an image of Saint Florus with an inscription CTΘΛO under titles over the image. The reverse side is smooth. The cord hole is located traditionally. Judging by the images, the cross is imitative and apparently of provincial manufacture.

The cross at number 101 bears in the middle of the cross the image of the Savior Not Made by Hands in a round medallion, with the forthcoming Mother of God on the right and John the Theologian on the left. Above inscription SHS … Below, in a rectangular hallmark, is the image of Nikolai the Ugodnik with an inscription above the image. Cross, traditional for Tver casting, with a lace hole in the upper part. The reverse side is smooth.

Cross number 102 bears in the middle of the cross the image of the Savior Not Made by Hands in a round medallion, with the forthcoming Mother of God on the right and John the Theologian on the left. Above is the image of the Trinity. Below is the image of Nikolai the Pleasant under the dividing inscription. The cross has a somewhat pretentious shape with small decorations imitating the expansion of the tree at the top and bottom. Horizontal blades with a slight extension towards the end. The head is in the form of a flat ear. The high artistic merit of the images and the placement at the top of the image of the Trinity make it possible, presumably, to the urban origin of this cross.

Cross number 103 bears the image of an unknown saint in the middle of the cross. In the upper extension of the tree, the Savior Not Made by Hands. On the edges of the horizontal blades there are round medallions with inscriptions. At the keeled end, there is a round medallion with an inscription. The reverse side is smooth. The head is in the form of a wide ear. The keel-like ending has decorative cutouts. The small size of the cross suggests its intended use for children.

The cross at number 104 bears in the middle of the cross the image of the Savior Not Made by Hands in the upper extension of the tree “The Prepared Throne”. There are decorative rectangular stamps on the edges of the horizontal blades. The keeled end has a rectangular stamp with the inscription NK … The reverse side is smooth. The head is in the form of a faceted bead. The keel-like ending has a spear-like ending. The small size of the cross suggests its intended use for children.

The double-sided cross at number 105 on the front side bears the image of the Savior Not Made by Hands in the middle of the cross. On the sides, in square hallmarks, the forthcoming Mother of God on the right and John the Evangelist on the left. In the upper extension of the tree there is an inscription in two lines. Below, in a rectangular hallmark, there is an image of Nikolai the Ugodnik under the inscription. In the middle cross of the reverse side there is an image of the Golgotha, seven-pointed cross. There are unreadable inscriptions in the rectangular stamps at the ends of the blades. The head is in the form of an ear. The cross has embellishments in the form of protrusions at the ends of the blades and in the middle of the lower blade. Not being keeled, the cross is presented as an example of the development of the type in time and probably belongs to the local cast of the second half of the 16th century.

Cross numbered 106 bears in the middle cross the image of the Savior Not Made by Hands in a round medallion. The forthcoming ones are also placed in round medallions. On the tree of the cross, in front of the keeled end, there is an inscription in a round stamp. In the keeled ending there is the image of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker. The reverse side is smooth. The head is in the form of a not wide ear. The keel end has decorative cutouts. Judging by the execution of the cross, it is imitative. Cross No. 109 bears in the middle of the cross the image of the Mother of God "The Sign", with selected saints on the sides on horizontal blades. In the upper extension of the tree there is an inscription in two lines. In the keeled ending, separated by an inscription in a rectangular stamp, there is an image of a saint. The reverse side is smooth. The head is in the form of a wide faceted ear with a cross in a rhombus. The cross has not been cleared and its attribution is difficult. Presumably Novgorodian work.

The cross at number 107 bears in the middle of the cross the image of Christ “Do not weep for Me Mati” with those who are to come, the Mother of God on the right and John the Theologian on the left. In the upper extension of the tree there is an image of the Savior Not Made by Hands. In the keeled end, the image is not clear. The head is in the form of a faceted bead. The keel end has small decorative cutouts. The reverse side is smooth. The cross is cast in silver. Obviously, the image on the cross repeats the iconography of the icon of the same name. Poor casting makes it impossible to describe the cross in more detail. Probably the front flap of the famous 16th century encolpion “Don't weep for me Mati” was taken as a basis.

The Novgorod school did not stand aside either. On the cross shown below is the traditional for Novgorod image of the Mother of God “The Sign” in the middle of the cross with selected saints.

Cross number 108 bears in the middle of the cross the image of the Mother of God “The Sign”, with selected saints on the sides on horizontal blades. In the upper extension of the tree is the image of the Savior Not Made by Hands. In the continuation of the tree and in the keeled end, there are two images of saints. The reverse side is smooth. Explanatory inscriptions are placed on the field of the cross above the images. The head is in the form of an ear with a small cross in the rimbe. To the iconography of this cross, the cross No. 108 A.

The cross at number 109 bears in the middle cross the image of the "Theotokos" the Sign, with selected saints on the sides on horizontal blades. In the upper extension of the tree there is an inscription in two lines. In the keeled ending, separated by an inscription in a rectangular stamp, there is an image of a saint. The reverse side is smooth. in the form of a wide faceted eyelet with a cross in a rhombus The cross is not cleared and its attribution is difficult. Presumably Novgorod work.

The double-sided cross at number 110 on the obverse carries the figure of the crucified Christ in the middle of the cross in a somewhat pretentious pose. In the upper extension of the tree and in the lower one, there are three figures of selected saints. On the horizontal blades there are hallmarks with the Mother of God, the Myrrh-Bearing Wife and John the Theologian with Longinus the centurion. The reverse side with a somewhat primitive image of the Virgin of Oranta throughout the field of the cross. A small cross at the location of the medallion depicting Christ brings it closer to the iconography of the Mother of God “The Sign”. The primitivism of execution betrays the self-taught master who created his own version of the cross, obviously far from the main cultural center. According to the saturation of the field of the cross with images, the shape of the keeled end and the cross itself, the time of creation is the first half of the 16th century.

The double-sided cross at number 111 on the obverse carries in the middle cross the figure of the crucified Christ in a somewhat pretentious pose in the manner of execution reminiscent of the cross in fig. 110. In the upper extension of the tree there is an inscription NIK. Calvary in the form of a cave with the Head of Adam. The keel-shaped end is elongated towards the middle cross. On the reverse side there is a full-length image of the Virgin of Oranta, which occupies the entire field of the cross. Above inscription ICX? The great similarity of the manner of execution and the rarity of crosses No. 110 and 111 suggests two works of different times by the same master, or the master and his student, who may have worked in a remote monastery. By its characteristic keeled end, this cross can be dated to the last quarter of the 15th century. The originality of the master, the expression in the depiction of the figure of Christ make it difficult to classify him as a school.

It should be noted that crosses with primitive images are quite common for this period. The expansion of the foundry, the increase in population, and therefore in demand, were the defining moment for the creation of such crosses. Most often, the local foundry was engaged in pouring the products of the central workshops, but sometimes there was an offer from the customer for a certain image. This is especially true of silver crosses. The lack of a suitable sample served as an incentive to try their own creativity. The second point is the gradual distortion of the original form and its correction. As a result, this led to a large distortion of the image.

The cross at number 112 bears in the middle of the cross the image of the Savior Not Made by Hands in an oval hallmark, the cross itself is straight-pointed, equally sided. The combination with ornaments in the form of additional slotted corners in the middle cross gives the cross a quadriple shape. At the ends of the blades, in square plates, letters are placed. Above NI under the title, on horizontal blades IC XC under titles, below CA under the title. The reverse side is smooth. The heading to this cross is taken from crosses with movable headings and apparently, according to the author's intention, imitates such a cross. Not being a cross with a keeled end, this cross, like the rest of the crosses presented below, is placed in the description as a typical example of various artistic solutions in the small plastic arts of the period described.

Along with the increase in the number of crosses cast in silver, which characterizes the increase in the number of fairly well-to-do people, the number of clearly ordered items in copper alloy is also increasing. Moreover, there is a unification of various traditions and schools, which of course is natural, given the all-Russian orientation of politics, both secular and spiritual power.

Speaking about the role of independent principalities in the development of all-Russian culture, in particular on the topic of this book, it is worth emphasizing the role of the Suzdal-Nizhny Novgorod principality. The location of the principality on the ancient trade routes, the political support of the Horde, contributed to its flourishing. From the territory of this principality there are numerous finds of original works of metal and plastic. In particular, the crosses shown below, fig. 113-117, are distinguished by their originality and originality. The time of their existence is the last quarter of the XIV century and the first quarter of the XV century.

Cross number 116 bears in the middle cross the image of the Savior Not Made by Hands in a square stamp. The cross is straight, equilateral. The combination with a large rectangular mark in the middle cross gives it a quadrifolium shape. At the ends of the blades, in square plates, letters are placed. Up IC, on horizontal blades X X, at the bottom in two lines NI / KA … The head is in the form of a slightly faceted bead. The reverse side is smooth.

Cross No. 117 bears in the middle cross the image of the Savior Not Made by Hands in a square stamp. The cross is straight, equilateral. The combination with a large rectangular hallmark in the middle cross gives it a quadrifolia shape. At the ends of the blades, in square plates, letters are placed. Up IC, on horizontal blades N K, at the bottom NS … The head is in the form of a large flattened bead. The reverse side is smooth.

Cross No. 118 bears in the middle cross the image of the Savior Not Made by Hands in a round medallion. Crossbones underneath in the form of a letter NS … The cross is straight-ended, with a slightly elongated lower blade. Letters are placed at the ends of the blades. Up NI, on horizontal blades IC XC under titles, below CA … The head is in the form of a faceted bead. The reverse side is smooth. The cross is cast in silver. Some custom-made silver crosses are clearly distinguished by the original work of the master, and not by the repetition of mass types.

Cross No. 119 bears in the middle of the cross the image of the "shoulder" Savior in a figured stamp. The cross is straight-ended, equilateral, with blades slightly widening towards the edge. Unlike cross No. 95, the central stamp has an arched figured end. At the ends of the horizontal blades there are embossed letters I C, at the top X, at the bottom Z … The head is in the form of a faceted bead with an indented cross. The reverse side is smooth. The cross is cast in silver.

Conclusion. The objects of personal piety of Orthodox Christians of the 15th-16th centuries presented in this book are material witnesses of the formation, expansion and strengthening of the Russian centralized state - Muscovite Rus. Being the result of the work of artists, carvers, foundry workers, these works of art characterize the level of culture and art of that era, as well as the spiritual component of the people, the basis of which was the Orthodox faith. Undoubtedly reflect all the variety of crosses of the XV-XVI centuries. the task is very difficult. New finds are not always known. And the available material itself is not as diverse in composition as we would like. But using the available information, the author tried to systematize and describe some of these most interesting subjects of personal piety.