A 17th century Roman altar cross after Guglielmo della Porta

Approximate size: 67 x 27 cm

The present altar cross, likely of Italian Roman origin, reproduces a figure of Christ in gilt bronze, cast after a model invented earlier by Guglielmo della Porta during the late 16th century. The present altar cross features gracefully realized gilt bronze attendant figures of John and Mary set upon an ebonized wood base reminiscent of and descendent from German cabinet makers whose specialists permeated Rome and elsewhere in Italy during the late 16th century.

The present altar cross is affixed with silver appliques and additional gilt bronze appliques along its lower base and stem of the crucifix (some possibly later and some missing). The cabinet is inlaid with handsomely framed applications of lapis lazuli and agate, celebrating the influx of precious stones in early Baroque Italy.

Condition: commensurate with age although some parts recently corrected and featuring recently cast painted resin embellishments to bring the altar cross into its original iconographic program.