Processional Cross
ca. 1550 (made)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
Wrought iron processional cross, embossed painted and gilt. The cross itself is made up of four vase-shaped limbs surrounding a central medallion. Christ crucified hangs in the centre surrounded by depictions of a ram's head and two helmets on the limbs of the cross. On the reverse, the central medallion shows God the Father raising his hand in blessing. The points of the cross from north to west depict armour, a face, a skull and a ram's head. Another medallion, which on the front and reverse shows a bearded man in a turban, joins the cross with the knop. The knop is drum-shaped and decorated with skulls, grotesque monsters, foliage and arabesques.
Traces of original paintwork can be seen on the cross. The figure of Christ shows flesh coloured tones, whilst there are traces of red and green around the central medallion on the front and on the lower medallion on the reverse.
The cross appears to be almost a replica in iron of a silver example of the same period.
Traces of original paintwork can be seen on the cross. The figure of Christ shows flesh coloured tones, whilst there are traces of red and green around the central medallion on the front and on the lower medallion on the reverse.
The cross appears to be almost a replica in iron of a silver example of the same period.
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Materials and techniques | wrought iron, embossed, painted and gilt |
| Brief description | Processional Cross, wrought iron, embossed, painted and gilt |
| Physical description | Wrought iron processional cross, embossed painted and gilt. The cross itself is made up of four vase-shaped limbs surrounding a central medallion. Christ crucified hangs in the centre surrounded by depictions of a ram's head and two helmets on the limbs of the cross. On the reverse, the central medallion shows God the Father raising his hand in blessing. The points of the cross from north to west depict armour, a face, a skull and a ram's head. Another medallion, which on the front and reverse shows a bearded man in a turban, joins the cross with the knop. The knop is drum-shaped and decorated with skulls, grotesque monsters, foliage and arabesques. Traces of original paintwork can be seen on the cross. The figure of Christ shows flesh coloured tones, whilst there are traces of red and green around the central medallion on the front and on the lower medallion on the reverse. The cross appears to be almost a replica in iron of a silver example of the same period. |
| Credit line | Given by Dr. W.L. Hildburgh F.S.A. |
| Object history | Given by Dr. W.L Hildburgh in 1940. |
| Historical context | This object is one of many gifts given to the museum by Dr. W.L Hildburgh. In particular, his gifts (and later bequest) supplied the metalwork collection with many outstanding examples of Spanish and Portuguese silver. This cross though made in iron, is in a style typical of Spanish goldsmiths' work. |
| Subjects depicted | |
| Bibliographic reference | Campbell, Marian, Decorative Ironwork, V&A publications, 1997, p.121
|
| Collection | |
| Accession number | M.329-1940 |
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| Record created | November 3, 2005 |
| Record URL |
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