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This sculpture is a cross on a highly detailed base. Most of the cross is transparent, similar to clear glass or crystal, while its ends are decorated with gold and colorful jewels in the shape of small crowns. The cross is connected to the base with more gold, which is then connected to a clear stem. The base is also transparent and appears to feature etched figures on horseback under tall trees. The bottom of the base has a ring of gold encrusted with jewels in shades of pink and green.
National Gallery of Art · Decorative Art
Altar Cross
Attributed to Saracchi Workshop (foot); Western European 19th Century (cross and its mounts)
- Date
- c. 1590 (foot); mid to late 19th century (cross and its mounts)
- Medium
- rock crystal, enameled gold, 3 beryls, 46 spinels, and 11 emeralds
- Dimensions
- overall: 44.9 x 15.2 cm (17 11/16 x 6 in.)
- Classification
- Decorative Art · Rock Crystal
- Accession number
- 1942.9.294
- Credit line
- Widener Collection
- Time span
- 1551 to 1600
- Department
- CSD
Subjects and terms
- Life of Christ
- religious
- Milanese
- Decorative Arts, Part III: Textiles, Furniture, Rock Crystals, and Armor
- Western European
Provenance
Possibly Pope Paul V [Camillo Borghese, 1550-1621], Rome.[1] Stefano Bardini [1836-1922]; (his sale, Christie, Manson & Woods, London, 5 June 1899, no. 175, bought in); (Bardini sale, Christie, Manson & Woods, London, 27-30 May 1902, no. 108); Brawes.[2] Charles Mannheim [1893-1910], Paris. (Duveen Brothers, Inc., London, New York, and Paris); sold 28 October 1911 to Peter A.B. Widener [1834-1915], Lynnewood Hall, Elkins Park, Pennsylvania; inheritance from the Estate of Peter A. B. Widener by gift through power of appointment of Joseph E. Widener, Elkins Park; gift 1942 to NGA. [1] According to the 1899 and 1902 Christie's catalogues, the cross stayed in the pope's family until purchased by Bardini. [2] The results of the 1899 and 1902 Bardini sales were kindly provided by Lynda McLeod, Librarian, Christie's Archives, in her e-mail of 1 August 2012, in NGA curatorial files.
NGA object ID 1454. Collection metadata is reproduced under CC0. This work is included because its NGA published-image record is marked open access; visitors should recheck the source record before substantial reuse.