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

processional cross. gilt silver. Barbastro (Aragon), Spain, 16th century. With contrast marks and chiseling (foot, environment of Christ). Latin-type processional cross made of gilt silver, with a foot formed by a cylindrical barrel that increases in width towards the end and has been decorated with floral elements within rhomboid spaces, an almost spherical apple with male busts in relief (possibly the four Evangelists). and plant elements in a composition similar to the one mentioned, and a molded upper body enhanced with fine plant stems that transform into "round-bulge" monsters. The cross presents a cresting around its outline of plant elements, masks (just in the widenings enhanced by an oval molding with corners) and plant and architectural compositions of classicist influence with winged angel heads (at the quatrefoil ends of the same, enhanced with moldings 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 appear smooth. On one of the fronts of the piece, the figure of Christ Crucified is located (three nails, short purity cloth, fallen head); in the other, and on a triangular openwork base clearly reminiscent of Gothic, the crowned Virgin Mary appears standing, with the Child Jesus in her arms. It is necessary to indicate the survival in the present piece of some details of Spanish Gothic silverware (cresting -which appears around the 15th century-, flordelisados finials of the cross -or similar shapes-, widenings in the arms of the cross, etc.) , together with elements that already respond to Renaissance influences (shape and decoration of the foot and apple, elements in light relief around the Crucified, winged angel heads, masks, etc.). Likewise, it is possible to compare it with processional crosses such as that of 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); some preserved in the Diocesan Museum of Barbastro (the one from Trillo from the 15th century, for example); that of Bagüés de Zaragoza from the 16th century in the Diocesan Museum of Jaca; the one made in Burgos around 1550 that is today in the Los Angeles County Museum of Arts (United States); etc. Weight: 2200 gr.

· Size: 36x13x73 cms.