The convex rock crystal at the center once sheltered and magnified a fragment of wood believed to be from the cross on which Jesus was crucified. The whole is sumptuously decorated with images of the life of Jesus on one side, and of saints linked to Saint Francis on the other. Many Franciscan communities in Italy commissioned works of art using translucent enamel, which shimmers like stained glass.
Additional Views (9)
Reliquary Cross
Date: ca. 1366–1400
Geography: Made in the Marches, Italy
Culture: Italian
Medium: Translucent enamel, silver, silver-gilt, rock crystal, glass, iron tang
Dimensions: Overall (with tang): 24 5/16 x 16 5/16 x 1 1/16 in. (61.8 x 41.5 x 2.7 cm)
Overall (without tang): 19 3/8 x 16 5/16 x 1 1/16 in. (49.2 x 41.5 x 2.7 cm)
measurement of single quatrefoil: 3 9/16 x 3 9/16 x 13/16 in. (9.1 x 9.1 x 2.1 cm)
Ht. to spacer on tang: 20 3/16 in. (51.2 cm)
Classification: Enamels-Basse taille
Credit Line: Gift of J. Pierpont Morgan, 1917
Accession Number: 17.190.498
Description
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Heilbrunn Timeline of Art History