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RELIQUARY
Brescia Cross
Late 4th century
Relic Fragments of the True Cross embedded in the crosspiece
Material Gold, gemstones, glass paste, Roman cameos, set on a wooden cross
Location Santa Giulia Museum, Brescia, Italy
A processional cross studded with 212 gems and antique Roman cameos. The cameos predate Christianity — pagan portraits repurposed as Christian ornament. The old gods decorate the instrument of their replacement.