Reliquary cross in silver and silver-gilt, composed of sever - Lot 108

Reliquary cross in silver and silver-gilt, composed of several parts assembled and soldered together: hexalobed base, molded bands, stem sections, node in the shape of a very flattened sphere with six bosses. The base is divided into six lobed, undecorated petals. A chased frieze runs along the molded edge. The six protruding bosses of the node each bear a small floret; alternating and protruding engraved leaves. The cross, with its poly-lobed ends, is engraved on one side with the attributes of the four evangelists (St. Mark's lion, St. Luke's bull, St. Matthew's man and St. John's eagle), while the branches of the cross are engraved with leafy branches; in the center of the cross, on a hinged part, is Christ on the cross. On the other side, fleurons in trilobes, the branches engraved CN:ES / IN:CRUCEM. In the center, a crystal plate closes the reliquary. Probably Mechelen, second half of the 15th century ( before 1489 ) Weight : 279 g - H. 26 cm The three pre-1489 works of Malines goldsmiths known to exist bear only two hallmarks: firstly, that of the city, represented by the three-pal shield of the city of Malines, set on an episcopal crosier, the scroll of which is turned to the right, identical for each of them; secondly, that of the goldsmith, chosen by him, which is different for each of these three works, but there is no decanate letter. The three oldest items are two chalices and a cruet: - Chalice in vermeil, third quarter of the 15th century, h. 0.18. Church of Fologne (prov. Limburg) - Gilt chalice, third quarter of the 15th century, h. 0.163. Eglise N. D. de Montaigu church - Green porphyry cruet with gilt mount, by Siger van Steynemolen, circa 1470, h. 0.15. Inv: 627-1868, Victoria & Albert Museum, London. The latter chalice bears striking stylistic similarities to the cross shown here, with the foot and knot differing only slightly. Bibliography : - G. VAN DOORSLAER, La corporation et les ouvrages des orfèvres malinois, de Sikkel, Antwerp, 1935.