Processional Cross
ca. 1500 (made)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
The cross is the central emblem of Christianity and the symbol of Christ’s Crucifixion. It first appeared about 350, possibly for use in private prayer. Crosses were also carried in procession before a service. In early times, people held them in their hand, but later they raised them high on poles.
Both altar and processional crosses were generally made of precious or gilded metal, or ivory, and decorated with gems. From about 800 they bore the image of the crucified Christ and became known as crucifixes. By about 1100 the imagery of European crosses had become established. It usually included the symbols of the four Evangelists (Matthew, Mark, Luke and John), often with the Virgin Mary and St John flanking the figure of Christ crucified.
This very large cross was clearly made for processional use. Enamelled plaques and embossed figures show scenes from the life of Christ. On the front are the Crucifixion and Resurrection of Christ. On the back are the Nativity, the Annunciation and the Flight into Egypt.
Both altar and processional crosses were generally made of precious or gilded metal, or ivory, and decorated with gems. From about 800 they bore the image of the crucified Christ and became known as crucifixes. By about 1100 the imagery of European crosses had become established. It usually included the symbols of the four Evangelists (Matthew, Mark, Luke and John), often with the Virgin Mary and St John flanking the figure of Christ crucified.
This very large cross was clearly made for processional use. Enamelled plaques and embossed figures show scenes from the life of Christ. On the front are the Crucifixion and Resurrection of Christ. On the back are the Nativity, the Annunciation and the Flight into Egypt.
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Materials and techniques | Wood, silver gilt |
| Brief description | Silver, parcel-gilt on wood, set with translucent enamels, Burgos, Spain, ca.1500 |
| Physical description | Wood covered with plates of silver repousse and gilt. |
| Dimensions |
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| Marks and inscriptions | Stamped with the names of the goldsmiths, Pedro and Martin. |
| Gallery label |
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| Historical context | Altar and Processional Crosses The cross is the distinctive emblem of Christianity and the symbol of Christ's crucifixion. Models of the cross begin to appear from about 350 AD, probably for use in private prayer. Only from about 1000 was a cross regularly placed on the altar during Mass; a more ancient custom was to suspend a cross above the altar or to place one beside it. Crosses were also carried in procession before a service. In early centuries these were hand-held, later replaced by more visible crosses raised on staffs. Both altar and processional crosses were generally made of precious or gilt metal, or ivory, and decorated with gems. From about 800 they were adorned with the image of the crucified Christ and became known as crucifixes. By about 1100 the iconography of European crosses had become established, usually including the symbols of the four Evangelists, often with the Virgin Mary and St John the Evangelist flanking the figure of Christ crucified. |
| Summary | The cross is the central emblem of Christianity and the symbol of Christ’s Crucifixion. It first appeared about 350, possibly for use in private prayer. Crosses were also carried in procession before a service. In early times, people held them in their hand, but later they raised them high on poles. Both altar and processional crosses were generally made of precious or gilded metal, or ivory, and decorated with gems. From about 800 they bore the image of the crucified Christ and became known as crucifixes. By about 1100 the imagery of European crosses had become established. It usually included the symbols of the four Evangelists (Matthew, Mark, Luke and John), often with the Virgin Mary and St John flanking the figure of Christ crucified. This very large cross was clearly made for processional use. Enamelled plaques and embossed figures show scenes from the life of Christ. On the front are the Crucifixion and Resurrection of Christ. On the back are the Nativity, the Annunciation and the Flight into Egypt. |
| Bibliographic references |
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| Collection | |
| Accession number | 514-1873 |
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| Record created | March 18, 2005 |
| Record URL |
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