Not currently on display at the V&A

Cross

1580 (made)
Artist/Maker
Laskaris, Giorgios (maker)
Place of origin
Greece (made)

This cross is carved with scenes from the Old and New Testaments. Another cross in Berlin, of similar dimensions and subject matter, is also signed by Georgios Laskaris and carries the date 1566.


Object details

Categories
Sculpture
Religion
Christianity
Object type
Cross
Materials and techniques
Boxwood
Boxwood
Brief description
Cross, Giorgios Lascaris, 1580.
Physical description
Cross, boxwood, separate from the base, carved with twenty-one scenes from the Old and New Testaments and the symbols of the four evangelists. The base is similarly carved with thirty-two scenes arranged in four tiers. Above each scene is its Greek title carved in relief.
Dimensions
  • Height: 45cm
Credit line
Given by Dr W. L Hildburgh FSA
Object history
Given by Dr W. L Hildburgh, F.S.A who purchased it at a sale at Sotheby's for £4. 4s.
Historical context
Another cross signed by Giorgios Lascaris and dated Nov. 30th 1566, was in the possession of Curtis Moffat, Ltd and on their retirement from business was in Mayor Galleries, Cork Street, London (1932). This is now in Berlin- see Byzantine and Post- Byzantine Art. Athens. 1985. cat. no. 244.
Summary
This cross is carved with scenes from the Old and New Testaments. Another cross in Berlin, of similar dimensions and subject matter, is also signed by Georgios Laskaris and carries the date 1566.
Associated object
A.3-1932 (Set)
Bibliographic references
  • cf. Rozycki, J. 'Ein imbekarrtes werk des Georgios Laskaris: das yeschmitzte krenz in Museum de Fürsten Czartayski Krakau'. Byzantine et Slavica Cracoviensia. II. 1994. p.83-96.
  • cf. Pontani, A. 'Croci lignee d'altare pastbizantine conservate in Italia e in Austria' Jahrbuch der Österreichischen Byzantinistik. XLVI. 1996. pp.379-421.
  • cf. Beckwith, J. 'Crosses from Mount Athose in the Gambier-Parry Collection'. Burlington Magazine. CIX. 1967. p.174.
Collection
Sculpture Collection
Accession number
A.2-1932

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Record createdJune 15, 2009
Record URL
https://collections.vam.ac.uk/item/O248992/cross-laskaris-giorgios/
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