Christ bearing the cross thumbnail 1
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Christ bearing the cross

Relief
1460-1500 (made)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

Mother-of-pearl, jet coral and amber were selected by craftsmen for their beauty, durability and rarity. These materials often occurred in a particular geographical region. Coral for example was prevalent in Sicily and amber along the Baltic coast. Many of the religious items were portable, as were the small portraits. They were often made locally and then taken elsewhere. Pilgrims from all over Europe bought the jet images made in Santiago de Compostela.

Object details

Categories
Object type
TitleChrist bearing the cross (generic title)
Materials and techniques
Mother-of-pearl
Brief description
Christ Bearing His Cross, mother of pearl relief, South German, late 15th century, ca. 1460-1500
Physical description
Christ bearing his cross is dragged to the right with a rope by a soldier in armour, two others stand in the background holding halberds. Simon of Cyrene, a smaller figure, grasps the centre of the cross with both hands. The scene is framed by an arch as in the companion relief A.50-1929.
Dimensions
  • Height: 5cm
  • Width: 4cm
Credit line
Given by Mr T. Whitcombe Green
Production
Perhaps based on a composition by the 15th century German engraver known as the Master E.S.
Subjects depicted
Summary
Mother-of-pearl, jet coral and amber were selected by craftsmen for their beauty, durability and rarity. These materials often occurred in a particular geographical region. Coral for example was prevalent in Sicily and amber along the Baltic coast. Many of the religious items were portable, as were the small portraits. They were often made locally and then taken elsewhere. Pilgrims from all over Europe bought the jet images made in Santiago de Compostela.
Associated object
Bibliographic reference
Jopek, N. Der Kardinal: Albrecht von Brandenburg, Renaissancefürst und Mäzen. Kunstchronik. vol. 61. May 2008. p. 215.
Collection
Accession number
A.51-1929

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Record createdJanuary 9, 2004
Record URL
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