Baroque style Cross - wood, silvered - 1850-1900 - crucifix

Crucifix

An exceptionally beautiful and characterful antique wooden standing crucifix, crafted in a classic religious style that presumably dates from the 19th century. The crucifix has a total height of 38 cm and a width of 17 cm, giving it a very imposing yet understated appearance. What makes this particular piece so special and valuable is that all the detailed ornaments and fittings are made entirely of silver-plated brass, unlike the more commonly used bronze or tin. The deep, dark brown wood has a beautiful, smooth finish and creates a stunning, warm contrast with the gleaming silverwork. At the center of the cross is a finely crafted silver Corpus Christi, rendered with great expressiveness and attention to detail. Above the figure of Christ is a silver scroll bearing the inscription 'INRI', while the three upper ends of the cross are elegantly finished with decorative silver-plated caps in a graceful fan motif. Particularly fascinating is the silver skull and crossed bones directly beneath the feet of Jesus, a powerful historical symbol referring to Golgotha, the 'Place of the Skull', and the ultimate triumph over death. The whole rests on a sturdy, stepped square wooden base that widens toward the bottom. The sloping front of the base is embellished with a beautiful silver relief depicting two winged angels, or putti, standing side by side, adding to the object's devotional and artistic value. This rare crucifix is in excellent antique condition, with a very authentic patina, and is a valuable addition for the serious collector of religious art and antiques. The lot weighs 325 grams, will be carefully packaged, and shipped worldwide with Track & Trace.