Rare reliquary crucifix in chased and engraved bronze with m - Lot 47

Rare reliquary crucifix in chased and engraved bronze with minute traces of gilding. Living Christ in high relief, attached to the cross, with concave ends and lobes: head bent over the right shoulder, hair divided by a median parting with locks resting on the left shoulder, eyes with deep-set pupils, short beard, horizontal arms with adducted thumbs, abdomen in circular relief, long, asymmetrical perizonium, one side of which is held by a belt decorated with circles, parallel legs and feet resting on a suppedaneum in the form of a trifoliate palmette; cruciferous nimbus bordered by pearls bearing the three letters LVX (light) surmounted by the abbreviated inscriptions IHC and XPS; rectangular-shaped reliquary reserve on the back. Germany?, mid-12th century H. 27.3 cm - L. 20.9 cm (small lack at the end of a branch) Provenance: - Former private collection, Lyon region This beautifully crafted crucifix combines several distinctive features not found in other examples: the ends of the arms of the cross with rounded protuberances reminiscent of Byzantine crosses, a nimbus edged with pearls bearing the letters LVX, a perizonium belt adorned with circles, a suppedaneum supported by a trifoliate palmette, Christ welded to the cross and, finally, a reliquary reserve probably intended for a piece of the true Cross carved into Christ's back. Many of these details suggest an early Romanesque work, but the head's naturalistic style suggests it was made in the 12th century.