Terms and Conditions
The artist, title and date of the work must be listed anywhere the image is reproduced:
(Austria / Southern Germany) (manufacturer)
Crucifix reliquary (c. 1700)
ivory, iron, wood, tortoiseshell, bone, paper, silk, gold fabric, rock crystal
36.6 × 12.8 × 5.3 cm
National Gallery of Victoria, Melbourne
Presented by Mrs G. Furche, 1990
Photo: National Gallery of Victoria, Melbourne
Where possible, the image must be reproduced in full (no cropping or over-printing). If you wish to use a detail of the work, a full reproduction of the work must also be reproduced elsewhere in the publication.
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Crucifix reliquary
(c. 1700)
Medium
ivory, iron, wood, tortoiseshell, bone, paper, silk, gold fabric, rock crystal
Measurements
36.6 × 12.8 × 5.3 cm
Credit Line
National Gallery of Victoria, Melbourne
Presented by Mrs G. Furche, 1990
Gallery location
Not on display
About this work
This ivory figure of the crucified Christ ultimately derives from a painted Crucifixion by Peter Paul Rubens of around 1610–11. The reverse of the tortoiseshell veneered cross contains, behind rock-crystal windows, a number of relics of saints, including the apostle Bartholomew, and the martyrs Romulus, Hippolitus, Eustachios, Barbara, Felix and Hilarius. Each is carefully labelled, as required by Church law after the Council of Trent. As objects for devotional contemplation, the relics ensure that the believer prayed to Christ in the company of the saints.
Artwork Details
Inscription
inscribed in pen and ink on paper label inset in rear of cross uc.: S, Romulus m.
inscribed in pen and ink on paper label inset in rear of cross u.l.: S, Hipolitus m.
inscribed in pen and ink on paper label inset in rear of cross u.c.: s, Bartholom: APOST:
inscribed in pen and ink on paper label inset in rear of cross ur.: s.Euftachius m.
inscribed in pen and ink on paper label inset in rear of cross c.: S, Barbara m.
inscribed in pen and ink on paper label inset in rear of cross l.c.: S.Felix m.
inscribed in pen and ink on paper label inset in rear of cross l.c.: S.Hilarius m.
Accession Number
D13-1990
Department
International Decorative Arts
This digital record has been made available on NGV Collection Online through the generous support of Digitisation Champion Dame Carol Colburn-Grigor CBE through Metal Manufactures Limited