PROCESSION CROSS - France or Netherlands - Circa 1500

PROCESSION CROSS

France or Netherlands, around 1500

Bronze

H.: 53; L.: 43.5 cm

H. without the base: 46 cm

Latin cross with cylindrical arms, animated on both sides by the quatrefoils of the Tetramorph: the angel for Saint Matthew, the eagle for Saint John, the bull for Saint Luke and the lion for Saint Mark.

Quadrilobed depicting the four evangelists. It is erected on a stepped and leaded base. The ends of the crosspiece and the upright are finished with sun-headed apples with sinuous rays.

On one side, Christ, hands and feet nailed, surmounted by the sign mentioning the Latin initials “INRI”: Jesus of Nazareth King of the Jews.

On the other, the Virgin and Child.

However, there are also examples of isolated sculptures, such as processional crosses, which preside over religious rites. This type of object was widely used from the 4th century onwards. Before the 8th century, crosses were hung on altars, but this arrangement changed and they were placed on a lower point or point of the altar. Processional crosses are the most important pieces of church furniture, one per parish. They are shaped like a Latin cross, with a single crosspiece and a longer lower arm. Designed to be carried at the end of a pole or stick, they open the way during the procession.

Text and photos © FCP CORIDON

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