A gilt-bronze figure of St John the Evangelist - shown here in actual size - with his Gospel Book in the right hand, the left hand raised, on a gothic socle.

   The position and the size of the figure is typical of Altar or Procession Crosses. The figure probably doesn't come from a reliquary, as the back is also decorated
   and without any rivets of holes for attachment. XV c. altar or procession Crosses were generally large ensembles of great height, were the Crucifixion scene
   was reinforced by figures of the Virgin Mary on the left side, and St John on the right side.

   "This statuette was probably part of a crucifixion group in which mourning figures of Saint John and the Virgin would have stood on curved arms issuing from a
   central Cross with a crucifix. Set into various types of cross feet, such groups first appear in the twelfth century and continue throughout the middle ages."*

   The base show traces of a torsion when the figure was broken from the Altar Cross - perhaps at the time of the dissolution of monastic orders under Henry VIII.

   The gilding has perhaps been restored, at an unknown date.

   Material : Gilt Copper-Alloy - gilding perhaps restored at some points
   Origin : U.K.
   Provenance : ex. English Antiquities Dealer
   Period : c.1400
   Dimensions : H : 10 cm

        Ref. : md-043  

   Price & Conditions : Euro 1600 -

   Bibliography : * Medieval objects in the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, Metalwork, Nancy Netzer, Northeastern University Press