PROCESSIONAL CROSS. SILVER. WITH HALLMARKS. BARBASTRO (ARAGÓN), SPAIN, 16TH CENTURY.

Processional cross. Gilded silver. Barbastro (Aragon), Spain, 16th century. With contrast and engraving marks (foot, surroundings of Christ). Processional cross of Latin type made of gilded silver, with a base formed by a cylindrical barrel that increases in width towards the end and has been decorated with floral elements within rhomboidal spaces, an almost spherical block with male busts in relief (possibly the four Evangelists) and vegetal elements in a composition similar to that mentioned, and a moulded upper body enhanced with fine vegetal stems that transform into monsters "in a round shape". The cross has a cresting around its outline of vegetal elements, masks (just in the widenings enhanced by an oval moulding with corners) and vegetal and architectural compositions of classicist influence with winged angel heads (on the quatrefoil ends of the same, enhanced with mouldings and vegetal details). In the rest of the areas of the two main fronts of the same, there is a decoration of oval mirrors with frames of smooth bands and coiled volutes; the sides are smooth. On one of the fronts of the piece is the figure of Christ Crucified (three nails, short loincloth, drooping head); on the other, and on a triangular openwork base with a clear Gothic feel, is the crowned Virgin Mary standing, with the Child Jesus in her arms. It is necessary to point out the survival in the present piece of some details of Spanish Gothic silverwork (cresting - which appeared around the 15th century -, fleur-de-lis finials on the cross - or similar shapes -, widening of the arms of the cross, etc.), together with elements that already respond to Renaissance influences (shape and decoration of the foot and the apple, elements in light relief around the Crucifix, winged angel heads, masks, etc.). It is also possible to compare it with processional crosses such as the one from Buerba in the Diocesan Museum of Barbastro-Monzón (from the 16th century, with a striking repertoire of late Renaissance elements and certain similarities with the present one); others preserved in the Diocesan Museum of Barbastro (the one from Trillo from the 15th century, for example); the one from Bagüés in Zaragoza from the 16th century in the Diocesan Museum of Jaca; the one made in Burgos around 1550 which is today in the Los Angeles County Museum of Arts (United States); etc. Weight: 2200 gr.

· Size: 36x13x73 cms.