Silver Processional Cross
An exquisite Rococo ‘del Fuego’ silver processional cross
Estimate: PHP 260,000 - 330,000
c. mid-19th century
Manila
Silver, del Fuego gilding, kamagong base stand
41.5 x 35.5 cm (16 1/4 x 14 in)
Presented on a wooden stand
In a progressive colonial Catholic church, the start of the Mass was signaled by a procession led by a cross bearer. The cross was carried aloft on a pole, where it was deposited in a silver or wooden ciriales waiting at the altar. This is an exquisite example of such crosses, one of the most beautiful and elaborate crosses that have surfaced in the market in a long time.
Made of precious silver, this early Rococo cross depicts the Crucified Christ, intentionally scaled down to emphasize the significance and power of the Cross, a symbol of Christ in itself. Behind the head of the corpus is a foliated inscribed Renaissance-style sun with a human face. The branches of the cross are profusely decorated with protracted motifs of masterfully hammered scrolls, acanthus leaves, and foliated scallop shells. The back of the cross features conforming decorations with an inscribed Patonce Cross at the center. The ‘del Fuego’ gilding has been best preserved on the circular inscriptions at the front and back centers, with visible traces on other parts. Del Fuego, or amalgam gilding, was an ancient fire gilding process that started in the 4th century BC in China. In this process, gold sheets mixed with mercury are applied to the silver casting, then heated to dissolve the mercury, resulting in a thick golden surface more resistant to tarnish than unprotected silver.
Lot 214 of the Salcedo Auctions live and online auction on 23 November 2024. Please see salcedouactions.com for more information and to place an online bid.
Silver Processional Cross
An exquisite Rococo ‘del Fuego’ silver processional cross
Estimate: PHP 260,000 - 330,000
c. mid-19th century
Manila
Silver, del Fuego gilding, kamagong base stand
41.5 x 35.5 cm (16 1/4 x 14 in)
Presented on a wooden stand
In a progressive colonial Catholic church, the start of the Mass was signaled by a procession led by a cross bearer. The cross was carried aloft on a pole, where it was deposited in a silver or wooden ciriales waiting at the altar. This is an exquisite example of such crosses, one of the most beautiful and elaborate crosses that have surfaced in the market in a long time.
Made of precious silver, this early Rococo cross depicts the Crucified Christ, intentionally scaled down to emphasize the significance and power of the Cross, a symbol of Christ in itself. Behind the head of the corpus is a foliated inscribed Renaissance-style sun with a human face. The branches of the cross are profusely decorated with protracted motifs of masterfully hammered scrolls, acanthus leaves, and foliated scallop shells. The back of the cross features conforming decorations with an inscribed Patonce Cross at the center. The ‘del Fuego’ gilding has been best preserved on the circular inscriptions at the front and back centers, with visible traces on other parts. Del Fuego, or amalgam gilding, was an ancient fire gilding process that started in the 4th century BC in China. In this process, gold sheets mixed with mercury are applied to the silver casting, then heated to dissolve the mercury, resulting in a thick golden surface more resistant to tarnish than unprotected silver.
Lot 214 of the Salcedo Auctions live and online auction on 23 November 2024. Please see salcedouactions.com for more information and to place an online bid.