Crucified Christ
Statuette
ca. 1650 (made)
ca. 1650 (made)
Artist/Maker | |
Place of origin |
This small crucifix is a devotional object, one perhaps used by Spanish missionaries in South America, or possibly in the Philippines, during the time the Spanish were in power there. It could alternatively have been made in Spain itself, although the form of the loincloth is reminiscent of those seen in carved ivores made in the Philippines when it was under Spanish rule. The facial features and form of the body suggest it dates from the mid-17th century. The fact that the figure is of lead means that it was cast from a mould, so that several copies could be made. The paint and inserted glass droplets would be applied subsequently. The glass droplets representing blood recall the moulded glass tears sometimes seen on the cheeks of baroque wood busts of the Sorrowing Virgin made in Spain.
Object details
Category | |
Object type | |
Title | Crucified Christ (generic title) |
Materials and techniques | Painted lead, with inset glass globules, imitating drops of blood. |
Brief description | The crucified Christ. |
Physical description | The crucified Christ is shown with his head resting on his right shoulder. The original cross is now lost. Stauette of painted lead with inset glass droplets. |
Dimensions |
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Gallery label |
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Object history | Bequeathed in 1926 by Lieut. Col. Croft-Lyons. |
Subject depicted | |
Summary | This small crucifix is a devotional object, one perhaps used by Spanish missionaries in South America, or possibly in the Philippines, during the time the Spanish were in power there. It could alternatively have been made in Spain itself, although the form of the loincloth is reminiscent of those seen in carved ivores made in the Philippines when it was under Spanish rule. The facial features and form of the body suggest it dates from the mid-17th century. The fact that the figure is of lead means that it was cast from a mould, so that several copies could be made. The paint and inserted glass droplets would be applied subsequently. The glass droplets representing blood recall the moulded glass tears sometimes seen on the cheeks of baroque wood busts of the Sorrowing Virgin made in Spain. |
Bibliographic reference | Trusted, Marjorie. Spanish Sculpture : Catalogue of the Post-Medieval Spanish Sculpture in Wood, Terracotta, Alabaster, Marble, Stone, Lead and Jet in the Victoria and Albert Museum. London: Victoria and Albert Museum, 1996. pp. 137-138. cat. no. 65 and pl. 22. |
Collection | |
Accession number | A.68-1926 |
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Record created | November 14, 2002 |
Record URL |
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