SILVER PAX. 16TH CENTURY.

Peace holder. Silver in color and gilded. Century XVI. Peace holder made of silver that has a handle (decorated with delicate vegetal motifs similar to those of the pilasters) and a female and a male bust at the bottom, in addition to other architectural elements on the back, and, on the front, an architectural composition classicist basement (with busts flanking a flower, and a cross), two pilasters (plant decoration and capital reminiscent of the composite order) with entablature (flowers flanking an angel's head; moldings), and a semicircular arch finish with venerated elements in low cross relief and flanked by two architectural motifs at the top. This composition frames and highlights a relief in gilded silver where you can see the Lament or Crying over the Body of Christ, with the Virgin holding the head of Jesus, Saint John at her side, the Magdalene and other characters, a cross after the group and a landscape background with houses and plant elements. This architectural structure mentioned is similar to the one present in other 16th century peace holders, such as that of the Magdalena de Dos Hermanas parish (Hernando de Ballesteros el Mozo, around 1575); or that of the parish of Galaroza (same author and date); or to that of the peace bearer of San Miguel de Jerez de los Caballeros (in some details); etc As for the relief, it is possible to clearly see a strong Italian influence, and the similarity between it and important pieces such as the Portapaz known as “de Cisneros by Juan de Burgos (1493-1497; Cathedral Museum of Alcalá de Henares), as well as in paintings and reliefs. It is also worth highlighting both the male and female busts in the lower area as well as the Maltese cross (or Saint John) that appears in this area. This symbol was used since the 12th century as an insignia by the Knights Hospitaller of the Order of Saint John of Jerusalem, also known as the Order of Malta, since Emperor Charles V gave this island as a fief in the 16th century. Weight: 507 gr.

· Size: 10,5 x 4 x 21 cms