An Ivory Crucifix From The Age Of Rubens On A Contemporary Wooden Plinth..
There is some damage to the figure's extremities: the left foot and both hands are affected, one toe and two fingers of each hand being partially or completely missing; but otherwise the whole is in good condition. Some evidence of its age is apparent with minor longitudinal cracks to the figure, which is uniformly patinated. The arms have been skilfully re-attached. The name Madame Gestin is written on the base of the stand in a 19th century hand.
Provenance: Purchased from the estate of a descendant of Rev. Thomas Jacob Freeth, LLD, who as a young newly-ordained chaplain served in the Crimean War and afterwards as a parish priest in Britain. His family were wealthy and well-connected and it may be that he received the crucifix as an ordination gift. The crucifix accompanied Freeth on the Crimean campaign where he served in the hospital at Scutari. We have a manuscript note from Florence Nightingale requesting that Rev. Freeth attend upon two soldiers in the hospital (please note we are not offering this item with the crucifix but will provide a copy).
£1,350.00
Details
NORTHERN RENAISSANCE IVORY CRUCIFIX
Publisher
Ivory and pine (?) no signature, place or date but Netherlandish or Northern French, c.,
Date
1660
Synopsis
A fine carved ivory crucifix mounted with iron pins, standing on a four-tiered pine plinth. the cross and stand are uniformly stained and polished in imitation of walnut.
Item Description
The cross and stand are 22 inches overall, the figure of Christ being 10½ inches between extremities and there is a bone titulus inscribed JNRJ, rather than the more familiar INRI.
Notes
The piece has been taken to the British Museum and the Victoria and Albert Museum, and in the opinion of Paul Williamson, Keeper of Sculpture at the V&A, who examined the crucifix in September 2007, this work has been dated and authenticated as described.
[Stock No. 18062]
