Pict. 39 Cross for consecrating holy water, 1710.

The cross for the consecration of water of 1710, known as "Cross of the Mavri'' (Black Woman) is more impressive both in size and ornaments. It has a wood-carved centre decorated with representations from the life of Jesus. It has a silver frame enriched with threaded, speckled and cast ornaments, enamels, pearls, corals, turquoise and stones from glassware in the Ottoman style. It was made on the instruction of the Abbot Ioannikios with donations from Konteans, Mamoneans, Balasis, Chrysanthos, Benizelos, Theocharis, Ioannes, Georgakis, Palaeologos, Demetrakis. According to tradition, during the Turkish period it was taken away from the Monastery but it was returned to it by a non-Christian black woman and since then it has been called "Cross of the Mavri'' (picture 39). The Monastery of Kykkos, in spite of the four destructions it had undergone because of fire, continues to preserve in its vestries many church vestments and other fabrics of the post-byzantine period. Representative samples from these are exhibited in the Museum.

One of the best gold-embroidered items is an epitaphios (representation of Christ's burial) of 1703 made by the famous craftswoman Despoineta from Constantinople (picture 40). The whole composition of the Funeral Lamentation is embroidered on red silk with golden and silver threads while the naked parts of the figures are depicted with slender wheat-coloured threads. In the centre in front of the ciborium, the deposition of the body of Christ in a coffer by the Virgin, John and Joseph are depicted. At the back three myrrh-bearing women flank the Virgin and take part in the lamentation. On the right side, Nicodemus, standing, holds in his hands the vessel with the myrrh. On the sides two full-bodied angels in priestly vestments assume a pious posture while two cherubims are near the ciborium.

Pict. 40 Epitaphios (Funeral Representation), 1703 made by Despoineta. Pict. 41 Epitaphios of the Virgin, 1847, made by Gregoria Costa Papa.

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