Antique Crucifix - .835 silver - 1850-1900

19th-century crucifix with a skull and INRI plaque on a later date wooden cross.

The crucifix is made of 1st-quality silver and bears an unclear 18th-century master mark. (see photo)

The 18th-century crucifixes are recognizable by the skull under Christ’s cross. According to legend, the skull of Adam, who is said to have been buried at the place where Christ would later be crucified.

The skull is used as a symbol of death when one does not want to depict it by a skeleton. Usually it is accompanied by two bones laid crosswise.

As a saint’s attribute it expresses the transience of man.

Above the cross hangs a plaque with the letters INRI, the Latin abbreviation of Jesus of Nazareth, King of the Jews.

On the back there are traces of restoration, furthermore there is a small crack in the statue. (see photo)

Weight of the corpus: 51.1 grams. Total weight: 617 grams. Height: 55 cm. Width: 18 cm.