Processional cross. Spain, first half of the 16th century.
Embossed silver.
One of the plates on the back is missing. The angels around Christ are damaged.
Measurements: 73 x 34 cm.
This elaborate processional cross, dating from the first half of the 16th century, has been entirely worked in embossed silver, a very common material for this type of object. It is a cross of great richness, profusely decorated with vegetal elements, ribbons and interlacing that are combined with carefully chosen relief work. The figure of Christ crucified presides at its centre, flanked at all four ends by poly-lobed pavilions containing the Tetramorphos. It is decorated on the front and back with an engraved composition based on highly decorative vegetal and geometric elements. The entire profile of the piece is decorated with cross motifs. As for the macolla, the foot of the processional cross, it has a circular barrel decorated with circular motifs. The entire body rests on a circular base decorated with vegetal elements.
During the Romanesque and Gothic periods, the sculptural design was most frequently used as part of the architecture. However, there were also examples of free-standing sculpture, such as processional crosses, which presided over religious rites. This type of object was widely used from the 4th century onwards. Before the 8th century, crosses were hung from altars, but this arrangement changed and they were placed on a lower point or spike of the altar. Processional crosses are the most important pieces of church furnishings, usually in the number of one per parish. They are in the shape of a Latin cross, with a single crossbeam and a longer lower arm. Designed to be carried on the end of a pole or staff, they lead the way in the processional procession.