Production style:
Miniature relief
Casting
Gilding
Niello
Handwork
Size:
4,2*2,5*0,3 mm
Average weight:
13.00 gramm

A next-to-skin cross with rounded ends of crossbeams, having circles with icons of eight saints. Such a cross is traditional for Russian Orthodoxy. In 15^th – 16^th centuries this type of cross was of one the most widespread. Etimasia – a symbolic image of Christ Pantocrator sitting down on the Prepared Throne – was often located in the center instead of crucifix.

Etimasia is readiness in Greek. Etimasia is usually put to the center of compositions devoted to the Doomsday, often on the icons upper field and on the next-to-skin crosses; representing God’s Throne prepared by the Lord for the Dread Judgement when He would mount thereto, open the Book of Lives and start judging the quick and the dead.