Cross thumbnail 1
Cross thumbnail 2
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Image of Gallery in South Kensington
On display at V&A South Kensington
Europe 1600-1815, Room 6, The Lisa and Bernard Selz Gallery

Cross

1580-1590 (made)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

The cross is formed of sections of rock crystal, mounted in silver-gilt. The foot, mounts, cherubs on the arms of the cross and the plaque above Christ's head are all gilded (probably re-gilt); the figure of Christ is parcel-gilt. The mounts are engraved with simple designs of flowers and foliage; the foot of the cross is shaped as a quatrefoil. In the four lobes at the base of the cross, a simple symmetrical floral and leaf pattern alternates with a simple pattern of interlace. Round the edge of the base are simple strapwork motifs; the rim of the foot has a punched dot design which imitates matting interspersed with a simple strapwork motif. The figure of Christ and the plaque at the head of the cross may be later (1615-20); the two small cherubs may also be later additions.


Object details

Categories
Object type
Materials and techniques
Silver-gilt and rock crystal, raised, engraved, gilded, cast and carved.
Brief description
Silver-gilt and rock crystal, German (Augsburg), 1580-90, town mark of Augsburg and maker's mark, probably Paul I Kleebühler, punched on foot.
Physical description
The cross is formed of sections of rock crystal, mounted in silver-gilt. The foot, mounts, cherubs on the arms of the cross and the plaque above Christ's head are all gilded (probably re-gilt); the figure of Christ is parcel-gilt. The mounts are engraved with simple designs of flowers and foliage; the foot of the cross is shaped as a quatrefoil. In the four lobes at the base of the cross, a simple symmetrical floral and leaf pattern alternates with a simple pattern of interlace. Round the edge of the base are simple strapwork motifs; the rim of the foot has a punched dot design which imitates matting interspersed with a simple strapwork motif. The figure of Christ and the plaque at the head of the cross may be later (1615-20); the two small cherubs may also be later additions.
Dimensions
  • Base to top of cross height: 41.2 cm
  • Width of arms of the cross, including mounts width: 17.4cm
  • Base of cross depth: 11.2cm
  • Cross (entire object) weight: 795.4g
Marks and inscriptions
  • 'I[esus] N[azarenus] R[ex] I[udeorum]' (Stamped on the plaque attached to the vertical shaft of the cross, above Christ's head.)
    Translation
    Latin, 'Jesus of Nazareth, King of the Jews'
  • Pinecone in a circle-shaped punch. (Assay mark for the town of Augsburg, for the years 1580-90. Stamped in one of the lobes on the base of the cross.)
  • A ?plant with three stems, each with a flower, growing on a low mound, in a circle-shaped punch. (Probably the maker's mark of Paul I Kleebühler (d. 1623). Stamped next to the town mark in one of the lobes on the base of the cross.)
  • Zig-zag assay mark on the underside of the foot ring.
Gallery label
1. Cross GERMAN, Augsburg; around 1620 Rock-crystal and silver, parcel gilt Unmarked The large size indicates that it stood in a prominent position on the altar for the service of the mass. The body of the cross is made of a highly prized and rare material, rock crystal. M.459-1910(1980-1990)
Object history
Nothing is know of the early history of this object. The cross was purchased from Mr J. Lowe of Wardour St, London, in 1910 for the sum of £150.
Bibliographic reference
Seling, Helmut. Die Kunst der Augsburger Goldschmiede, 1529-1868: Meister, Marken, Werke. Munich, Beck, 1980. ISBN 3406057292 (set).
Collection
Accession number
M.459-1910

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Record createdJune 24, 2009
Record URL
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