An early wood Crucifixion cross, with a lead-alloy corpus mounted, inlaid with mother of pearl in geometric pattern and florettes, on a pyramidal base. The IHS monogram with the H surmounted by a cross surrounded by a Sun (the emblem of the Jesuits) inlaid into the base and with cylinders affixed to the cross and base. 17th - 18th century.

Height: 12 1/4" (31 cm)

Width: 5 1/4" (13.5 cm)

Depth: 1 1/2" (4 cm)

PROVENANCE: New York City collection.

CONDITION: Good overall condition with significant wear and patination. One small cylinder replaced on one arm of the cross. Some inlays missing from cylinders. Center cylinder foot, under based is a replacement. The metal parts were likely added shortly after the wood cross was made.

NOTES / REFERENCES: A similar cross like this and of the same form, but larger and with more inlay, was sold at Christies (European Works of Art - Lot 160 - April 22, 2008). Catalog notes regarding origin are quoted below:

"This unusual crucifix, with its lively and sophisticated, yet eccentric design, is a classic hinge piece between the East and West. Here, a familiar Western form is slightly adapted by Eastern materials and craftsmanship and the local design traditions."

"An almost identical crucifix, of exactly the same form, materials and with the same mix of geometric and floral inlay is in the Franciscan Church at Livorno (see Can. E. Mai, La Chiesa della Madonna in Livorno: una chiesa tutta dialogio, Livorno, 2001, cover illustration). For additional examples of several other of these unusual objects, and for a discussion in the difficulty in precise attributions for these pieces made over an area from the Near East, specifically the Jerusalem area, to the Indian subcontinent, see N. Vasallo e Silva, No caminho do Japao, 1993, cat. 8 and 9."

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