A representative number of samples of the great collection of oil-lamps that the Monastery possesses are suspended
from glazed eggs of Kiutacheia. These lamps were at one time or other suspended in front of the Holy Icon of the Virgin.
One lamp of the 19th century is noteworthy for its intricate decorations with gold-plating, multi-coloured stones of glassware,
corals, cast heraldic lilies, doubleheaded eagles, crescents and with suspension chains made of whole angels, anthemia and
cherubims (picture 23). This is an especially decoratively intricate work, typical of the combination of different artistic styles of
the post-byzantine period (Orthodox Christianity, Western European baroque and Islam).
The Monastery of Kykkos is also famous for its rich collection of holy relics which are kept in special cassettes, mostly made of
wood or silver, the reliquaries. Most of these have the shape of a closed book and they are decorated with representations of the
Almsgiving Virgin of Kykkos as well as of the saints whose relics are inside the reliquaries. Inside and at the base there are silver
cassettes for the relics and a cross. The silver pyramidal reliquary of 1782 which contains the venerable skull of John Potamites, a
little known Cypriot saint, is most interesting (picture 26).
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| Pict. 23. Silver gilt suspended lamp, 19th century. |
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