Russian bronze travel icon depicting the Orthodox cross, 19th century

Height x width x depth: 22.5 x 14.7 x 0.3 cm. Weight: 549 g.

Gild bronze Orthodox, it presents one vertical bar and three transversals. Each bar represents a particular detail of the moment of the crucifixion: The highest and closest, features the INBI plaque in Greek, corresponding to the Latin INRI, which stands for "Jesus Nazarene, King of the Jews"; the middle one represents the outstretched arms of the crucified Christ; the lowest, also narrower than the middle one, symbolizes the footrest, on which Christ's blood dripped during the crucifixion. The Christ figure does not wear a crown of thorns, and he is attached to the cross with three nails instead of four. Behind him are the spear with which Longinus pierced his side and the sponge with which he was quenched with vinegar. In the background is the city of Jerusalem, the scene of the Passion. Of the cross, the base cannot be seen, which is hidden in the ground, covered by rocks that roof an underground cavern where Adam's skull is kept. The last character symbolizes the death of Jesus, a symbol of salvation, which overcomes that of the first man who could not access redemption. This Cross represents victory over death and pain itself.