Crosses-Encolpias from Regional Historical Museum Vratsa

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Abstract:

The article discusses twenty one pectoral crosses, named also „encolpia” from the collection of Regional historical museum Vratsa (RIM-Vratsa). They are single flat crosses made from iron, copper and lead. Based on the differences in their shape they can be divided into six types. Some of them are ordinary encolpias without images or ornaments. There is a number of pectoral crosses which are decorated with various geometrical motifs – crosses, beams, triangles, dots, circles, which are incised or relief. From the biblical subjects only Christґ2 s crucifixion and the Virgin Orans are presented in a stylised way. The majority of the presented crosses are from the second half of the nineth century to the twelfth century. The only specimen which is made by cutting copper plate can be dated to the fifth–sixth century. The encolpias from RIM-Vratsa complement the number of known such specimens as introduce new variation, which is unmatched by now. At the same time they show the variety of forms, technologies, images and subjects among those artefacts of small plastic art.

Keywords:

encolpia, pectoral crosses, single flat crosses, medieval, Regional historical museumVratsa

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