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Cypress cross in a metal frame.

Inv. #
М-87
Dimensions
34 × 26 × 1.5 cm
Materials

Description

An altar cross, four-armed, of cypress, in a shaped metal frame. On the front is the scene "The Crucifixion" against a backdrop of city buildings. At the top is a triangular halo depicting the All-Seeing Eye amid rays of radiance — a symbol of God Sabaoth. On the left arm is depicted the "column of scourging," and on the right a ladder. At the bottom of the cross is a depiction of the Head of Adam at Golgotha. On the reverse, at the center, is a depiction of the Virgin Mary, her hands crossed in a gesture of prayer. Above her head, amid clouds, is a depiction of the Holy Spirit as a dove in radiance. On the left arm is depicted a ladder, and on the right, the Burning Bush. At the bottom of the cross are the Tablets of the Covenant, in the form of two slabs with the Ten Commandments. The metal frame is worked as a lavish, openwork border with rocaille scrollwork, acanthus leaves, shell-shaped motifs at the ends, and diverging rays around the crossing.

The cross belonged to the pre-war (pre-1941) part of the collection of the H. S. Skovoroda Historical Museum. It was evacuated in 1941 and returned to Kharkiv in November 1944.

3D Model

Interactive 3D model of the artefact. Use mouse or touch to rotate and zoom.