Processional crucifix, gilded silver, Spain, possibly Cuenca, c. 1600

Silver-gilt processional cross, the stem chased with scrolls on a matted ground, with a knop set with six shell-topped niches containing figures of the apostles St Andrew, St Paul, St John the Evangelist, St Bartholomew, St Peter and St Simon Zelotes; the cross with a circular central boss the reverse of which is chased with the Ascension and the front with the sun and moon above Jerusalem and Calvary and applied with the figure of Christ crucified; the shaped arms of the cross chased on both sides with cherubs, scrolls and stars on a matted background; each cross arm with a shaped pinnacle

The Rosalinde and Arthur Gilbert Collection on loan to the Victoria and Albert Museum, London

Provenance: Partridge Fine Arts, London

The shape of the cross, and in particular of the central knop, appears comparable to an earlier processional cross attributed to Cristobal Becerril, Cuenca, c. 1580 (see: Avery, Charles. The Golden Age of Hispanic Silver 1400-1665. 1968/P. 35, cat. no. 90, figs 177-178). The decoration is more in line with work from around 1600.

Sir Arthur Gilbert and his wife Rosalinde formed one of the world's great decorative art collections, including silver, mosaics, enamelled portrait miniatures and gold boxes. Arthur Gilbert donated his extraordinary collection to Britain in 1996.

LOAN:GILBERT.89-2008