Religious Protective Silver Vintage Cross, 90s, Ukraine

Inscribed on the back in Old Church Slavonic: ‘Save and Protect”

About this piece

A devotional cross pendant cast in silver, featuring a figure of Christ at the centre surrounded by ornate foliate borders. The piece is clearly Russian Orthodox in character, with the characteristic layered, scrolled arms typical of ecclesiastical metalwork from the post-Soviet period. The reverse bears an inscription in Old Church Slavonic: “Спаси и Сохрани” — “Save and Protect” — a traditional blessing and prayer for safekeeping.

The pendant hangs from a simple silver loop and shows honest wear consistent with regular wear over several decades — light surface patina and gentle handling marks that speak to its use as a protective talisman. The casting is crisp and well-finished, with good definition throughout the ornamental detail. This is the sort of piece gifted for protection and carried as a spiritual anchor, particularly common among Ukrainian and Russian Orthodox families during the 1990s and beyond.