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Source Description
This figure of the crucified Christ was once attached to an enameled cross (now lost). The Savior is portrayed alive, symbolizing his triumph over death. His direct gaze and stiff body posture signal his divine nature. A long loincloth covering Christ's mid-section is lavishly decorated with bands of glass beads imitating precious stones, which also appear around his neck. These decorative bands, known as orphreys, were usually worn by monarchs or clerics; they are used here to indicate Christ's identity as the supreme ruler. Large metal crucifixes of this type were produced to adorn the altars of churches in central France.
Scholar Source Context
Document identity
localId
13904
label
Figure of Christ from a Crucifix
core
obj
dtoType
object
citationUrl
pageCount
1
Source metadata
id
13904
sourceUrl
contentType
object
stage
normalized
title
Figure of Christ from a Crucifix
description
This figure of the crucified Christ was once attached to an enameled cross (now lost). The Savior is portrayed alive, symbolizing his triumph over death. His direct gaze and stiff body posture signal his divine nature. A long loincloth covering Christ's mid-section is lavishly decorated with bands of glass beads imitating precious stones, which also appear around his neck. These decorative bands, known as orphreys, were usually worn by monarchs or clerics; they are used here to indicate Christ's identity as the supreme ruler. Large metal crucifixes of this type were produced to adorn the altars of churches in central France.
provenance
Jacques Seligmann, Paris [date of acquisition unknown], by purchase; Henry Walters, Baltimore, 1911, by purchase; Walters Art Museum, 1931, by bequest.
date
13th century (Medieval)
citationUrl
rightsUri
CC0
language
en
genreSpecific
Enamels
figurines
fragments
imageCount
1
pageCount
1
source
import
dimensions
units
cm
width
32
height
27
dimensionsRaw
H: 12 5/8 x W: 10 5/8 in. (32 x 27 cm)
Source extras
cul
French
style
Romanesque
med
gilded copper, champlevé enamel, glass
creator_ids
6229
collection_ids
MED
exhibition_ids
1957
246
2752
Single page context
seq
1
pageIndex
0
type
photo
mediaId
044f1dcbde243683