A Fine South Netherlandish Carved Ivory Crucifix Figure of Christ

A Fine South Netherlandish Carved Ivory Crucifix Figure of Christ with a Silver Halo and Sacred Motto Affixed to a Rosewood Cross
With gilt-wood embellishments on original Rosewood scallop shaped base an Ivory Skull and Crossbones symbolic of golgotha beneath Christ’s feet
His legs uncrossed His hands and Feet attached by Iron Nails
Small chips to fabric of hanging Perizonium
Old smooth creamy patina
Circa 1690-1700

Size: Christ: 40cm high, 24cm wide 6cm deep - 15¾ ins high, 9½ ins wide, 2¼ ins deep / Cross: 109cm high, 41.5cm wide, 22cm deep - 43 ins high, 16¼ ins wide, 8¾ ins deep

Provenance:
Ex Finch and Co circa 2005
Ex English Private collection
Ex Irish collection

CITES permit: 2025/BE00989/CE


cf: A similar example in the collections of the Victoria and Albert Museum inv. no. A.73-1920

In this image of the Passion, Christ is shown alive, his eyes open looking upwards to his right, his teeth visible with His mouth open in his call to God. Imagery based on the Passion of Christ became increasingly popular from the 13th century. The mix of emotions which well up in the devout upon looking at such a human image, a blend of guilt and gratitude, sorrow and sympathy, is a very powerful combination. The Carthusian monk, Ludolph of Saxony (died 1378) expressed this attraction, without seeking to explain it, in his ‘Life of Christ’: ‘I know not for sure…. how it is that you are sweeter in the heart of one who loves you in the form of flesh than as the word…. It is sweeter to view you as dying before the Jews on the tree, than as holding sway over the angels in Heaven, to see you as a man bearing every aspect of human nature to the end, than as God manifesting divine nature, to see you as the dying Redeemer than as the invisible Creator.’