Crucifix with Strawberries and Pansies

Description Elaborate crucifixes became increasingly popular during the Renaissance. This example combines a translucent rock crystal crucifix terminating in gold mounts with enameled strawberries (symbols of goodness), pansies (symbols of humility), and multicolored quatrefoils. The skull and crossbones below the feet of Christ appear on many examples and refer to the belief that the crucifixion took place directly over Adam's grave. The three loops attached to the side and lower ends of the crucifix once bore pearls.

Conservation

Date	Description	Narrative
1/26/1988	Treatment	cleaned; examined for condition
5/09/1991	Examination	examined for condition
4/27/2006	Treatment	cleaned; examined for exhibition

Exhibitions

• Jewelry - Ancient to Modern. The Walters Art Gallery, Baltimore. 1979-1980.
• Bedazzled: 5,000 Years of Jewelry from the Walters Art Museum. Frist Center for the Visual Arts, Nashville; The John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art, Sarasota; The Walters Art Museum, Baltimore. 2006-2009.
• Bedazzled: 5,000 Years of Jewelry. El Paso Museum of Art, El Paso. 2010.
• Gold of the Ancient Americas. The Walters Art Museum, Baltimore. 2015.

Provenance Henry Walters, Baltimore; by bequest to Walters Art Museum, 1931.

Credit Acquired by Henry Walters