On loan to The Met The Met accepts temporary loans of art both for short-term exhibitions and for long-term display in its galleries.
Cross of King Ashot II Yerkat (the Iron) and Case
Not on view
According to Armenian tradition, this iron cross was made by Saint Thaddeus the apostle and later brought to the monastery of Sevan where a relic of the True Cross given to King Ashot I was inserted at its center. Later when King Ashot II (the Iron) successfully led seventy warriors and a battalion of monks from Sevan against an Arab contingent in 923, his name also became associated with this Holy Cross of Sevan.
This artwork is meant to be viewed from right to left. Scroll left to view more.