Lot 126A
Europe, artisan has been identified as a French prisoner of war, crucifix probably created in British prison, ca. 18th century CE. Impressive for its fine carving technique and large size, a stunning crucifix comprised of carved lamb bone and dark wood, created by a French prisoner of war in the late 18th century, possibly during the Napoleonic Wars when thousands of French soldiers held in British prisons, some for a decade, were looking for ways to pass their time. More often, POWs created ship models and boxes. This crucifix is quite rare. Note the naturalistic rendering of Christ's body mounted above the more abstractly rendered skull and crossbones. In addition, take note of the letters INRI (acronym meaning Iesus Nazarenus Rex Iudaeorum or Jesus of Nazarene, the King of the Jews) inscribed on the bone piece set on a diagonal on the cross. The fleur-de-lis adorning each arm terminus denotes the prisoner's sense of nationalism. The fact that the artist carved lamb bones is incredibly significant, as this is a reference to the Lamb of God, a title for Jesus that appears in the Gospel of John when John the Baptist upon seeing Jesus proclaims, "Behold the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world." A stupendous example of religious art with an intriguing history and layers of symbolic iconography. Size: 8.75" W x 17.25" H (22.2 cm x 43.8 cm)
Provenance: Ex-Caskey collection, Marina del Rey, California
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#116831
- Condition: Small chip to two square lamb bone appliques on the lowest level of the tiered pedestal.
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