Silver Crucifix with tortoiseshell cross, Italy (?), late 18th century

Silver “Corpus Christi”, placed on a tortoiseshell veneered wooden cross (hawksbill sea turtle, Eretmochelys imbricata, Cheloniidae) with silver finials. The figure of the Saviour is studied anatomically; the horizontally outstretched arms emphasized the realism of the figure of Christ on the cross, which is also emphasized by the musculature and the venous system; the hands are slightly half-open and the holes for the pins are located closer to the pulse and not in the center of the hand. The forward chest thrust is marked by the not excessively marked ribs, which give the figure more harmony and the abdomen is recessed. The head has the crown of thorns and is folded towards the left shoulder, turned upwards; the soft hair falls over the shoulders, the eyes are open and turned towards the sky and the mouth is half-closed. The legs of the Crucified Christ are positioned parallel and slightly bent towards the right side of the figure, the feet are slightly overlapping and nailed together. The intimate parts are covered by a short thong with a side drape supported by a very thin double cord.
At the top of the cross, separated from the figure of Christ, there is a cartouche with the Titulus Crucis I.N.R.I. (Iesus Nazarenus Rex Iudeorum, which literally translates to 'Jesus of Nazareth, King of the Jews'). The cartouche bears the silversmith's mark 'A P' stamped twice, while on the reverse of the terminals are the assay markings.

Item condition grading: **** good, minor defects.