Krucifix

Palestine, 18th–19th century

This wooden cross on a base has rich mother-of-pearl and bone inlay. The base is decorated with foliate and floral motifs. Kneeling Franciscan monks in prayer are in the two bottom corners; in the centre is the Franciscan symbol of two crossed arms below a cross, above which is the Holy Spirit in the form of a dove. The Virgin Mary is portrayed in the bottom section of the cross; above her are rosettes in medallions, the

Jerusalem cross, crossed arms below a cross, and the figure of Jesus on a cross. INRI is inscribed in the upper section. On the opposite side of the cross is a simple wooden cross with inlaid mother-of-pearl.

H: 73.6 cm

UMP 17833

The cross probably came from the Franciscan workshops in Palestine, which also produced wooden models of holy sites. These products served as souvenirs for pilgrims travelling to the Holy Land, and sales represented a source of income for the order administering the site.