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Cypress cross in a metal frame, inv. no. М-33: photo 1 of 5
Photo 1 of 5
Cypress cross in a metal frame, inv. no. М-33: photo 1 of 5
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Metal · Church plate

Cypress cross in a metal frame

Inv. no. М-33 · Metal

Project: Sloboda Ukraine Code. Church Antiquities

A four-armed carved cross, in a metal frame. On the front of the cross is a depiction of the "Crucifixion." On the cross, above Christ's head, is an unfurled scroll with the letters "INRI" ("Jesus of Nazareth, King of the Jews"). On the side arms are the letters "IS" and "KHS" ("Jesus Christ"). Full description

Date
18th century
Material
Wood, metal
Technique
Carving, stamping, soldering
Dimensions
17.2 × 14 × 1.7 cm

Photo: M. F. Sumtsov Kharkiv Historical Museum · CC BY 4.0

Description

A four-armed carved cross, in a metal frame. On the front of the cross is a depiction of the "Crucifixion." On the cross, above Christ's head, is an unfurled scroll with the letters "INRI" ("Jesus of Nazareth, King of the Jews"). On the side arms are the letters "IS" and "KHS" ("Jesus Christ"). At the top is a triangular halo with the All-Seeing Eye amid rays of radiance — a symbol of God Sabaoth. On the left arm is depicted a ladder, and on the right the "column of scourging." At the bottom of the cross are depictions of the Head of Adam at Golgotha and of city buildings. On the reverse, at the center, is a depiction of the Virgin Mary, her hands crossed in a gesture of prayer, standing on a raised platform decorated with a diamond-mesh pattern. She wears a long tunic and maphorion, with a round halo around her head. To the left and right of her halo are the letters "MR ΘU" ("Mother of God"). Above her head, amid clouds, is a depiction of the Holy Spirit as a dove in radiance. On the left arm is a depiction of the Burning Bush, and on the right, Noah's Ark in a boat. At the ends of the metal frame are palmettes; the handle of the cross is lost.

The cross belonged to the pre-war (pre-1941) part of the collection of the H. S. Skovoroda Historical Museum. It was evacuated in 1941 and returned to Kharkiv in November 1944.

Record

Inventory number
М-33
Title
Cypress cross in a metal frame
Collection group
Metal · Church plate
Date
18th century
Material
Wood, metal
Technique
Carving, stamping, soldering
Dimensions
17.2 × 14 × 1.7 cm
Digitisation
Project “Sloboda Ukraine Code. Church Antiquities”, 2026
Tradition
Orthodoxy

Updated 15 Oct 2026

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