A Byzantine bronze Chi Rho christogram, probably from an oil lamp

Description: A bronze Chi Rho christogram with dark green-brown patination probably a fitting from a bronze oil lamp, formed by superimposing the first two (capital) letters chi and rho (ΧΡ) of the Greek word ΧΡΙΣΤΟΣ (Christos) in such a way that the vertical stroke of the rho intersects the center of the chi. The chi with a perforation at one end of the letter, probably for attachment to a chain, condition good.

Size: 64 mm/2.5 ins. high

Culture: Byzantine

Date: c. 300-600 A.D.

Provenance: Ex Essex private collection.