SILVER PAX. 16TH CENTURY.
Antiques - Miscellaneus / Silver
Reference: ZF0664
Pax. Silver in its natural color and gilded. 16th century. A silver pax featuring a handle (decorated with delicate vegetal motifs similar to those on the pilasters) and a female and male bust at the bottom, along with other architectural elements on the back. The front displays a classical architectural composition with a base (featuring busts flanking a flower and a cross), two pilasters (with vegetal decoration and capitals reminiscent of the Composite order) with an entablature (flowers flanking an angel's head; moldings), and a semicircular arch with scallop-shell motifs in relief beneath a cross, flanked by two architectural motifs at the top. This composition frames and highlights a silver-gilt relief depicting the Lamentation over the Body of Christ, with the Virgin Mary holding Jesus' head, Saint John at her side, Mary Magdalene and other figures, a cross following the group, and a landscape background with houses and vegetation. The aforementioned architectural structure is similar to that found in other 16th-century pax-porters, such as that of the parish of La Magdalena in Dos Hermanas (Hernando de Ballesteros el Mozo, around 1575); or that of the parish of La Galaroza (same author and date); or that of the pax-porter of San Miguel in Jerez de los Caballeros (in some details); etc. Regarding the relief, a strong Italian influence is clearly visible, as is the similarity between this piece and important works such as the Pax known as the "Cisneros Pax" by Juan de Burgos (1493-1497; Alcalá de Henares Cathedral Museum), as well as in paintings and reliefs. Also noteworthy are the male and female busts in the lower section and the Maltese cross (or Cross of St. John) that appears there. This symbol was used from the 12th century as an emblem by the Knights Hospitaller of the Order of St. John of Jerusalem, also known as the Order of Malta since Emperor Charles V granted them the island as a fief in the 16th century. Weight: 507 gr.
· Size: 10,5 x 4 x 21 cms
16.000 €
