Hand Cross
unknown
Basic information
Additionally
- Type
- decorative and applied arts ritual items
- Genre
- religious
- Provenance
- Zalisky village, Stryi district, Lviv region
Information about author
Object description
Hand crosses, intended for church use during services, form the largest group of liturgical crosses. Figural carvings can be seen as single figures or multi-figure compositions in the decorative solution. A decorative interpretation of the compositional solution characterises the cross from the village of Zalisky. A crucifixion with Adam's skull under the feet is carved on the front, the central stem, and the crossbeam. The figure is modelled planarly. The background around Christ is set shallowly, worked out with diagonal lines. The master used only shallow cuts and roundings. The flat relief carving of Jesus on the cross follows the Western European tradition. Above the Saviour's head is a title with the inscription "INRI"; on the upper frame is the inscription "NIKE"; at the end of the central crossbar are the letters "JE" and "CH" in rectangles. The letters "ML" and "RB" are inscribed on the lower crossbar in rectangles. A full-length figure of the Virgin Mary and the Child is on the back of the cross. They wear crowns and are surrounded by halos. The Virgin Mary stands on a globe. On both sides and above the figure of the Virgin Mary and Christ are reliefs of cherubs made in flat carving with small reproductions of details. The outline of the hand-carved cross is smooth and follows the shape of the frames. The central stem in the lower part has a long carved handle that ends in a ball.
Legal regulation
Borys Voznytskyi Lviv National Art Gallery
