A reliquary was a receptacle for keeping or displaying sacred relics. In Christian usage, relics were objects connected with, or remains of, the bodies of saints. Christians are known to have venerated the relics of martyrs at least as early as the 2nd century. The Crusades led to the influx of relics from the Middle-East and became popular items of adornment used for protection of crusaders and the wealthy who could afford them.

The practice of veneration was effectively defended, however, by the 13th-century theologian St. Thomas Aquinas, who contended that the bodies of the saints are vessels of the Holy Spirit. The practice was reaffirmed by the Council of Trent after Protestant reformers rejected it. In the Orthodox church, the veneration of relics was sanctioned by the Council of Constantinople (1084), but the veneration of icons has always had a greater importance in the East.

These genuine Latin-shaped bronze reliquary crosses are from the Byzantine Empire. It would typically have two identical halves that were hinged together leaving the center hollow for placing the relic. The crosses we are offering feature a full figure with arms upraised in relief but, except for "D", are missing the back half...a real beautiful treasure.

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