Carved ivory relief depicting the Crucifixion of Christ, Burgundy, 17th century

elephant ivory (Loxodonta africana Blumenbach, 1797 or Elephas maximus Linnaeus, 1758) carved to depict a Crucifixion of Christ.
The composition is typical of the late Gothic period in the French area where representations of the humanist philosophy of the time were prevalent.
Christ is positioned on a completely smooth cross, with his head slightly bent towards the right shoulder, facing downwards and his intimate parts are covered by a short loincloth supported by a side drape.
The cartouche with the Titulus Crucis INRI (Iesus Nazarenus Rex Iudeorum, which literally translates to 'Jesus of Nazareth, King of the Jews') in relief is rectangular in shape and is positioned horizontally at the top of the composition.
On either side of the Saviour are the consoling angel on the evening of his agony: "An angel from heaven appeared to him (in Gethsemane) to comfort him" (Luke 22.43) and the angel indicating man's destiny beyond death: "At the resurrection... you will be like angels in heaven" (Matthew 22.30).

Item condition grading: **** good.