Processional Cross thumbnail 1
Processional Cross thumbnail 2
Not currently on display at the V&A

Processional Cross

1547 (made)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

Processioal cross (front with figure of Christ). Made of plates applied to a wooden core. Tongue shaped arms with octagonal terminals, all of oblong section; square centre. The edges are bordered with projecting cast and pierced foliated cresting with turned finials round the terminals. The corners of the square centre have turned finials at each corner supported by seated grotesques. The decoration on the front consists of classical figures, bosses, grotesques and at the tip of each arm allegorical figures, Faith, Hope, Charity and Fortitude, each between a pair of trees. At the top is a cartouche bearing the date 1547. The back is decorated with classical figures and grotesques with at the tips of the arms, the four evangelists with their symbols, each between two trees. Embossed in the centre is the Virgin and Child seated in a landscape. The lower end of the cross is attached to an iron rod which passes right through the knop. The knop is shaped like a tall box, each corner surmounted by a turned finial and each side with a small gable-shaped pediment on the top. Each side is decorated with an applied shaped panel, framing an ovolo and surmounted by a cherub's head; on each side of the panel is a scroll shaped bracket supporting a turned finial. On the top is a socket for the base of the cross embossed and chased with acanthus foliage.


Object details

Categories
Object type
Materials and techniques
Wood with applied silver plates, attached to an iron rod
Brief description
Processional Cross, silver, parcel gilt
Physical description
Processioal cross (front with figure of Christ). Made of plates applied to a wooden core. Tongue shaped arms with octagonal terminals, all of oblong section; square centre. The edges are bordered with projecting cast and pierced foliated cresting with turned finials round the terminals. The corners of the square centre have turned finials at each corner supported by seated grotesques. The decoration on the front consists of classical figures, bosses, grotesques and at the tip of each arm allegorical figures, Faith, Hope, Charity and Fortitude, each between a pair of trees. At the top is a cartouche bearing the date 1547. The back is decorated with classical figures and grotesques with at the tips of the arms, the four evangelists with their symbols, each between two trees. Embossed in the centre is the Virgin and Child seated in a landscape. The lower end of the cross is attached to an iron rod which passes right through the knop. The knop is shaped like a tall box, each corner surmounted by a turned finial and each side with a small gable-shaped pediment on the top. Each side is decorated with an applied shaped panel, framing an ovolo and surmounted by a cherub's head; on each side of the panel is a scroll shaped bracket supporting a turned finial. On the top is a socket for the base of the cross embossed and chased with acanthus foliage.
Marks and inscriptions
  • IVAN FRANCI
    Translation
    Juan Francis of Toledo?
  • 1712 MUNOZ (On the knop of the cross, which bears the Madrid hallmark.)
  • ANToFR-MONTERo (On the Knop, dated 1712, with the Madrid Hallmark)
Credit line
Dr W.L. Hildburgh Bequest
Object history
Hildburgh Bequest
The knop of the Cross is of a much later date (1712), the figure M.188-1956 was added to the cross.
Historical context
A very similar cross, which was lost in the Civil War, was at El Lasar de Jalamancar.
Subjects depicted
Associated object
Bibliographic reference
Falke, O.V, Alte Goldschmeidewerke im Zürcher Kunsthaus, 1928, no.243, pl. 54
Collection
Accession number
M.368-1956

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Record createdSeptember 17, 2004
Record URL
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