Hand Cross
unknown
Basic information
Additionally
- Type
- decorative and applied arts ritual items
- Genre
- religious
- Provenance
- Krukenychi village, Mostyska district, Lviv region
Information about author
Object description
Crosses were an important symbol and amulet in Christian life. One of their varieties is hand crosses, intended for use in churches – they were placed on the altar, fixed on stands or held in the hands of the priest. A laconic and simple plastic composition characterises the handmade three-frame cross from the village of Krukenychi. The image is concentrated in the central part. Carved ornaments and a continuous smooth line along the contour surround the frames. On the front of the central core of the seven-pointed cross is a crucified Jesus, carved in the Byzantine tradition, nailed to the cross with four nails, each foot separately. His arms are outstretched on the central beam, his palms open and facing the viewer. The master carved Christ with his head tilted to his right shoulder, and his eyes closed. The face is sculpturally carved with the eyebrows drawn together, giving the impression of slight sadness and spiritual concentration. The Saviour's head is crowned with a halo and a crown of thorns, modelled from two intertwined rods and precisely carved. Schematically and anatomically accurate, the naked body is covered by a long loincloth on the thighs, tied in a knot. Above Christ's head is a traditional plaque with the letters "INRI". On the back are chequered squares: one is smooth with a dot in the centre, and the other is filled with dots.
Legal regulation
Borys Voznytskyi Lviv National Art Gallery
