Christ bearing the Cross
- Object:
- Place of origin:
England, Great Britain (made)
- Date:
- Artist/Maker:
- Materials and Techniques:
Carved and gilt alabaster
- Credit Line:
Given by Dr W. L. Hildburgh FSA
- Museum number:
- Gallery location:
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Christ, bearded and wearing the torse and a long gown is represented in the centre of the panel holding the cross over his right shoulder. The left arm of the cross is supported with both hands by the Virgin who is shown wearing a gown and veil. Christ is led with a rope tied round his waist and held by a bearded figure, wearing a short girded tunic, pulling the cross with his right hand. Christ is pushed forward by a similar figure on the left of the panel, who holds a bill in his right hand.
There are two sorts of alabaster. Calcite alabaster is very hard and was used in ancient times. This object is made of gypsum alabaster which is a fine-grained, soft and smooth stone. Although at first glance it looks a little like marble, which it was intended to imitate, it was much easier to carve due to its softness, and alabaster objects were therefore significantly cheaper to produce. Marble does not originate in England, so it was imported if needed, whereas in the 15th century there were important alabaster quarries in Nottingham, York, Burton-on-Trent and London. England was a major centre for the production of objects such as this one. During period, they were exported in very large numbers to Europe where they survive, unlike many examples which remained in England and were destroyed or greatly damaged during the Reformation.
Physical description
Christ, bearded and wearing the torse and a long gown, is represented in the centre of the panel, leaning to the right and holding the cross over his right shoulder. The left arm of the cross is supported with both hands by the Virgin who is shown wearing a gown and veil. Christ is led with a rope tied round his waist and held by a bearded figure, wearing a short girded tunic, who looks back at him, pulling the cross with his right hand. Christ is pushed forward by a similar figure on the left of the panel, who holds a bill in his right hand. Four similar figures are found at the top of the panel, including one holding a halberd and another holding a hammer. St. John the Evangelist is shown at the top left of the panel holding a palm.
The top of the panel is badly chipped. The surface of the panel is badly weathered. There are slight traces of gilding on Christ's hair and on the background at the top of the panel.
There are two holes drilled in the back of the panel, one plugged with lead. The whole of the centre of the panel has been scooped away, and the bottom has been cut away even more.
Place of Origin
England, Great Britain (made)
Date
15th century (made)
Artist/maker
unknown (production)
Materials and Techniques
Carved and gilt alabaster
Dimensions
Height: 50.9 cm, Width: 29.6 cm
Object history note
Acquired by Dr W. L. Hildburgh in Paris. On loan from him since 1926. Given by Dr Hildburgh in 1946.
Descriptive line
Alabaster panel depicting Christ bearing the Cross. English, 15th century.
Bibliographic References (Citation, Note/Abstract, NAL no)
Cheetham, Francis. English Medieval Alabasters. Oxford: Phaidon-Christie's Limited, 1984. p. 242 (cat. 169), ill. ISBN 0-7148-8014-0
Rollason, L, 'English Alabasters in the fifteenth century' in Williams, D (ed.) England in the fifteenth century. Proceedings of the 1986 Harlaxton Symposium Woodbridge, 1987, pp.247-8.
Materials
Gilt; Alabaster
Techniques
Carving; Gilding
Subjects depicted
Mary (Virgin Mary); Cross; John (Saint John the Evangelist); Christ; Gown; Palm; Tunic; Veil; Torse; Rope; Hammer; Halberd; Bill
Categories
Sculpture; Religion; Christianity
Collection code
SCP
