Antique ebonized wooden altar cross - 40 cm - Antique - wood , metal - 1850-1900

Antique ebony-stained wooden altar cross with memento mori skull - Solid silvered bronze - France/Belgium - 19th century
• Large 19th-century standing crucifix with memento mori (Adam's skull) - Silvered bronze and ebony-stained wood

A beautiful and very complete antique altar cross (standing crucifix) from the 19th century (historicist period). This quality object is crafted from deep-dark ebony-stained wood and stands on an elegantly turned wooden base.
High-quality casting and symbolism:
The Corpus Christi (Jesus figure) and the nimbus (halo) are made of solid cast bronze or brass, subsequently highly silvered.
The backside shows the characteristic artisanal file and chasing marks of the caster master. Through authentic wear (patina) the warm bronze color peeks beautifully through the silver layer at the edges.
What is special about this specimen is that it is fully complete, including the original INRI placard and the rare metal memento mori skull with crossed bones (the skull of Adam) at the foot of the cross. This symbolizes the defeat of death and original sin at Golgotha.