Byzantine bronze processional cross holder
€4,930
available
Object number
AR3061
Object: |
Support for a processional cross
|
Material: |
Massive bronze with cold-work
|
Date: |
11th - 12th century A.D. Middle Byzantine Period, Constantinople or Asia Minor workshop |
Description: |
Massive processional cross holder with high tubular shaft into which originally a wooden hold was inserted. The shape of the holder is based on the church architecture of the Middle Byzantine period: The church building is two-tiered with almost square cross-section. The lower floor has four and the upper floor three high key-hole windows to each side. High gable roof, top floor with one window to each side. The processional cross was originally inserted into a massive chimney-shaped structure with square cross-section on top of the roof. Richly decorated with palm leaves, stars, dot- and line engravings. |
Size: |
Height 175 mm, width 52 mm
|
Condition: |
Excellent condition, beautiful patina, worth the exhibition in a museum. Perfect preservation even of minor cold bronze work details. Small hole at the lower end, probably antique. With modern acrylic glass base.
|
Reference: |
For a cross support also shaped as a church building, but with much larger windows and different decoration, see M. Comstock & C. Vermeule, Greek, Etruscan & Roman Bronzes in the Boston Museum of Fine Arts (Boston 1971) Nr. 645
|
Provenance: |
Acquired 2020 at a Swiss auction house. Prom the collection of the Basel art dealer and one of the founders of the Antikenmuseum Basel Christoph Bernoulli (1897-1981, thence by descent in the family), acquired before 1963.
|
Authenticity: |
We unconditionally guarantee the authenticity of every artefact, all items are subject to our lifetime return policy on authenticity.
|