Bidspirit auction | Coptic silver cross with Christ

Coptic silver cross with Christ of distinctly African features, 14th century - Engraved and chased silver with gold embellishments. Dimensions: 29 × 23 cm. Magnificent Coptic cross made of worked silver sheet, decorated with a highly interesting medieval iconography. Christ is depicted with distinctly African features, holding the Holy Book in his hand. At the ends of the four arms of the cross are the figures of the Evangelists Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John, carved in relief. The thick, shaped sheet structure suggests that the cross was originally inserted into the wooden cover of a Book of the Gospels. Probably at the end of the 19th century, the cross was expertly mounted on a wooden support. The iconography of Christ, as well as that of the apostles and angels surrounding him, is considerably more archaic than the shape of the cruciform structure; however, the oval finials of the cross with lobed corners allow the piece to be dated to the second half of the 14th century. Lot in international warehouse (within the EU). Intra-EU shipping: no import duties apply within the EU. An export permit from the country of origin may be required.