Hand Cross with Three Intersections

The hand cross is seven-pointed, with an elongated central and slanted lower crosspiece. A high level of iconographic elaboration of surfaces and details characterises the work. The image occupies the entire surface of the central rod and its most important part – the central cross. The basis of the compositional solution of the work on the front side is the crucifixion, where Christ is carved in imitation of the Western tradition – nailed to the cross with three nails. The Saviour is depicted as dead, his head tilted to his right shoulder and his arms with open palms hanging down. The master has skilfully rendered Christ's athletically built body anatomically, working out the tense muscles of the neck, arms and legs, the sunken belly with the protruding chest. The tired face of Jesus in the crown of thorns, modelled by two twisted rollers, is reproduced in detail with filigree skill. The bandage on the thighs worked out with dynamic folds, adding to the composition's decorative effect. The crucifix is based on a Latin cross with a flat carving, the surface of which repeats the texture of the wood. At the top of the cross are titles with the letters "INRI"; at the bottom, there is a mountain and Adam's skull. Two winged cherubs are carefully detailed at the ends of the upper frame. Between them is the all-seeing eye, a symbol of the Holy Trinity. At the back, on the central stem in the centre, is a full-length figure of the Virgin Mary with her arms folded across her chest. Her feet rest on Adam's skull. The entire surface of the upper frame is covered by a relief of a dove, a symbol of the Holy Spirit, with rays emanating from it. At the ends of the central frame are tablets and a peculiar emblem in which a cross crosses a sword with a heart at the point of intersection. These are symbols of faith (anchor), hope (cross), and love (heart). The figurative carvings of individual figures on handmade crosses are typical of the eighteenth and twentieth centuries.

Borys Voznytskyi Lviv National Art Gallery