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Silvia Fini

Very rare Greek Orthodox Cross in carved boxwood, depicting the passion of Christ. Every part of The Cross depicts a different scene. The Cross is bifacial, i.e. carved on both sides.The Cross dates back probably to the 13th / 14th centuries and is protected inside a cross-shaped silvery brass reliquary of the 18th century.

Cross dimensions: 95 x 60 mmCross condition: intact and complete; a small piece on top is slightly detached. 

Reliquary dimensions: 160 x 90 mmReliquary condition: a small piece has lost its welding.

Similar specimens are kept in different museums. These are small Crosses, carved in olive wood, sometimes in boxwood or in other hard woods, depicting scenes from the life of Christ (mostly Passion). 
Scholars do not find any unanimity as to their dating and origin. One of the oldest known Crosses is the one kept at Mezzojuso (Pa), inside the Church of Santa Maria Delle Grazie. It’s been made of boxwood, is sized 12 x 7 cm, dates back to the 17th century (maybe earlier), and comes probably from Mount Athos Monastery (in Greece).  

The study of these little carved crosses is still poorly developed, especially in Italy. The most recent research points out to their Greek-Orthodox origin; they were produced during a rather broad time span, from the 17th to the 19th century. That’s why they are often defined “post-Byzantine Crosses” or “Greek Orthodox pectoral/figural Crosses”.

BIBLIOGRAPHY

- Museo Poldi Pezzoli, Orologi-oreficeria, Electa, Milano 1981 no. 221, cat. 205.   
- Francesco Rossi, Accademia Carrara [Bg], 3. Sculture, bronzi, porcellane e ceramiche, Bolis,   Bergamo 2002, plate 30, p. 45.   
- Piera Rum (edited by), La collezione di argenti e oreficerie (Museo Gaffoglio, Rapallo, Ge), Skira, Milano 2006, p. 30, no.3, plate p. 106.  
- Anna Pontani, Croci in bosso, in AAVV, Museo Bagatti Valsecchi, I, Electa, Milano 2003, p. 359.

In fairly good condition, considering its age

Greek Orthodox Cross in carved wood, bifacial - possibly from the 13th / 14th centuries - in a cross-shaped reliquary of the 18th century

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Subject

Mother of God

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Greek Orthodox Cross in carved wood, bifacial - possibly from the 13th / 14th centuries - in a cross-shaped reliquary of the 18th century

1377 objects

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Antiques

This object is no longer available, but there’s still lots to explore

Greek Orthodox Cross in carved wood, bifacial - possibly from the 13th / 14th centuries - in a cross-shaped reliquary of the 18th century

1377 objects

Related collections