Altar Cross

Description Christ wears a crown and blue colobium, a long Byzantine robe unusual in Limoges enamels. At the ends of the arms are the Virgin and St. John, and at top and bottom are two apostles. Crosses with Christ clothed and crowned are rare, and represent not only the Crucifixion and death of Christ, but also the Resurrected Christ as King of Heaven, dressed in a long garment tied at the waist with a golden belt as described in the vision of Saint John (Revelations 1:13).

Exhibitions

• Vive la France! French Treasures from the Middle Ages to Monet. The Walters Art Gallery, Baltimore. 1999-2000.

Provenance Collection Sulzbach (?); Henri Daguerre, Paris, by purchase; Henry Walters, Baltimore, 1928, by purchase; Walters Art Museum, 1931, by bequest.

Inscriptions [Transcription] Text in reserve in upper band above Christ's head: IH[ESV]S; [Translation] Jesus [Transcription] Text in reserve in lower band above Christ's head: XPS; CHR[ISTU]S; [Translation] Christ

Credit Acquired by Henry Walters, 1928