18th C. Russian Bronze Three-Bar Crucifix

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Early Fall Variety | Ancient & Ethnographic

By Artemis Gallery

Oct 17, 2019

Set Reminder 2019-10-17 10:00:00 2019-10-17 10:00:00 America/New_York Bidsquare Bidsquare : Early Fall Variety | Ancient & Ethnographic https://www.bidsquare.com/auctions/artemis-gallery/early-fall-variety-ancient-ethnographic-4538
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• Lot Description
  **Originally Listed At $300**
  
  Eastern Europe, Russia, ca. late 18th to early 19th century CE. A beautiful cast-bronze three-bar crucifix with the crucified Christ taking central place but smaller scenes in low relief detail surrounding him and creating the detailed, ornate effect embraced by Orthodox religious art. The three-barred cross is the most symbolic and common shape in the Orthodox Church. The short topmost bar represents the sign reading "This is the King of the Jews" from Luke 23:38 that was nailed to the top of Christ's cross; the short bottom-most bar represents the foot rest on Christ's cross. This is depicted as slanted because it is believed that, in Christ's final moments, he kicked it out of place. The right side points upward to Heaven and the left side points downward to Hell. Here, the uppermost bar contains a scene of heaven; the lower bar shows a scene on earth. Size: 6" H (15.2 cm).
  
  At the bottom of the cross is a skull which represents the skull of Adam, and below his feet are four letters meaning, "The place of the skull became Paradise", to remind us that Adam lost Paradise through forbidden knowledge, and Christ will return us to it. On the back is a common prayer: "As You were voluntarily raised upon the cross for our sake,/Grant mercy to those who are called by Your Name, O Christ God;/Gladden all Orthodox Christians by Your power,/Granting them victories over their adversaries,/By bestowing on them the Invincible trophy, Your weapon of Peace."
  
  Provenance: private Orange County, California, USA collection
  
  All items legal to buy/sell under U.S. Statute covering cultural patrimony Code 2600, CHAPTER 14, and are guaranteed to be as described or your money back.
  
  A Certificate of Authenticity will accompany all winning bids.
  
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  #128547

  Condition

  Age-commensurate surface wear, very slight bending to overall form, fading to some details, with a lustrous brown patina throughout, otherwise intact and excellent.
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