Crucifix Comtat Venaissin mid 18th century, the Apocalypse of Saint John

A mid-18th-century Comtat Venaissin crucifix in burnished and amatized carved and gilded ivory and limewood, of poly-lobed form, depicting the Apocalypse of Saint John. This extremely rare crucifix features a finely carved and molded frame with voluble acanthus brackets embellished with ears of wheat, roses and other stylized daisies and peonies on a hatched bed. The inner periphery of the frame follows the lines of the main cross on which Christ is crucified, with a double border typical of the Contadin Baroque. At the top of the moving frame, in the upper middle section, the Holy Spirit is symbolized by a dove rising from the clouds and swooping down to earth, surrounded by the three holy angels: Michael, Gabriel and Raphael, the three "els" of the heavenly army fighting the revolt of Lucifer and the evil angels. Michael, the prince of angels, whose name means "Who is like God", towers above, with Gabriel, meaning "Strength of God", and Raphael, meaning "Healing Gods", at his side. The base consists of a large acanthus with a holy-water font, featuring a removable bowl with a winged dragon. The dragon symbolizes Lucifer, the dreadful beast of the Apocalypse whose funereal exploits fill the last days, retreating before the archangels and the celestial army who drive him from heaven. "There was then a battle in heaven: that of Michael and his angels against the Dragon. The Dragon, too, fought with the help of his own, but they were the least strong and lost their place in heaven. Yes, he was rejected, the great Dragon, the serpent of origins, the one called Demon and Satan, the one who led the whole world astray. He was cast down to the earth, and his angels with him....". (Revelation 12, 7-12a). Mainly an ivory Christ, a suffering Christ on the cross, his arms in a V-shape, stretched symmetrically on either side of his body. His eyes open, his head tilted to the left, crowned with thorns. His hair falls in long locks over his shoulders on either side of his bearded face. His hands are clenched; slightly swaying to the left, his legs remain parallel, though slightly bent, his feet symmetrical. Feet and hands are pierced with nails. Christ is dressed only in a simple perizionum, draped with strong pleats, tied on the left hip.
Comtat Venaissin, mid-18th century, circa 1750.
Dimensions: height 58cm, width 27cm
Please note that the Christ in Elephant ivory (Elephantidae spp) complies with the AM of May 4, 2017 allowing the sale without declaration of antique Elephantidae ivory worked before March 3, 1947 (Washington convention) and representing less than 20% by volume of the piece.