Relief, the Crucifixion, carved walrus ivory, England (possibly Norwich), probably ca. 1090-1110

Christ is shown crucified between Longinus on the left and Stephaton on the right, with a cruciform halo and with his feet resting on the so-called suppedaneum, a small shelf. Above are heads representing the Moon and the Sun to the left and right respectively, and at the centre appears the hand of God. The relief's back is plain, with a rectangular cavitiy at the centre. The recess at the top, now broken and pierced with the reamins of a circular hole, would have held a suspension loop attaching the cross to a cord or chain.

A series of sixteen small holes drilled around the outer edge of the cross, and two further holes under the suppedaneum indicate that the cross was originally framed by metal strips, probably of gilt-copper, held in place by small pins or studs; three larger holes piercing the front (two above the arms of Christ, one to the right of his legs), probably served to hold pegs which secured a separately made panel, possibly of metal. This second panel would have sealed the small relic or relics held in the cavity on the reverse directly behind Christ's body. The front of the plaque may have been further embellished with gold leaf or foil glued to the roughened background, which would also have concealed the three large holes. There are two further small holes drilled in the Hand of God and one below Christ's feet, none of which pierces the thickness of the ivory.

The cross is worn and discoloured on its front face to a dark brown, presumably as a result of burial. The head of Longinus has been sheared off in a diagonal plane from the nose and Stephaton's right foot has been broken and worn away. There is a small abrasion to the head of the Moon, and the plaque is also damaged at the top. A long surface crack runs vertically through the body of Christ. The tops of the heads of Moon and Sun have been flattened and incised with a groove, perhaps made in connection with the fitting of the back plate.

Purchased from Mrs C.M. Barber, Southwold, Suffolk, in 1961 (£1350). At time of acquisition it was stated that the cross was 'found at Tombland, outside Norwich Cathedral Close on the west side of the Cathedral, in 1878 by a workman while digging up some park land. The panel was sold shortly afterwards by an unknown person to Mr E.J. Caley, J.P., of Norwich, the father of Mrs C.M. Barber. The ivory carving has always been in the family's possession and, in fact, remained forgotten for many years in Mrs Caley's workbox, out of which it tumbled when the daughters were going through their mother's property after her death' (report by J. Beckwith on Museum Register).

It is likely that the cross dates from the years around 1100. The most compelling comparisons that have so far come to light are with some of the figures on the Gloucester Candlestick of 1107-13 (V&A, mus. no. 7649:1 to 3-1861; see Williamson 2010, p. 365). The distinctive almond-shaped heads of Christ and Stephaton on the cross are close to several of those on the candlestick.

As the cross was not found in an archaeological context, it is likely that it was thrown away, just outside the cathedral precincts, at a later date, perhaps during the riots of 1272. Theft would seem to be indicated by the fact that the probably gilt-copper embellishments and back plate were torn off the cross before disposal.

This cross was once used as a so-called pectoral cross or pectorale (from the Latin pectoralis, 'of the chest'), a cross worn on the chest by bishops, abbots, and other high church officials.

probably ca. 1090-1110

This cross was carved from walrus ivory in ca. 1090-1110, possibly in Norwich. It shows the crucified Christ between the Roman soldiers Longinus and Stephaton. Above these three figures, two heads representing Moon and Sun are shown, and in the centre, the Hand of God is emerging from the sky.

Small holes around the edge of the cross and around the body of Christ indicate that the ivory was formerly attached to some kind of support, perhaps a metal plate, and framed with metal strips, all presumably made of gilt-copper. The Crucifixion relief may also have been further decorated with gold leaf or foil, and a small cavity at its centre back may once have held a relic.

Crosses such as these were (and still are) worn by high Christian church officials such as abbots and bishops, and are often referred to as pectoral crosses (from the Latin pectoralis, 'of the chest').

A.3-1961