Early 17th Century Gold and Enamel Crucifix

A Portuguese or Spanish crucifix from the early 17th century, made of gold triangular sections. The front of the cross champleve enameled green, with an applied gold figure of Christ, enameled skull and crossbones below. At the top of the cross is a blue and white enameled Dove of Peace. Above the head of Christ is the word INRI (meaning Jesus of Nazareth, King of the Jews" (often abbreviated in the Latinate "INRI", and in the Greek as "INBI")).

The back of the crucifix is enameled with the Instruments of the Passion (not all identified, but: spear, hammer, scourge).

Length: 3"

For similar crucifixes:
Parke-Bernet Galleries catalog, The Melvin Gutman Jewelry Part VI, December 7, 1971, Lot 60, page 29.

"Five Centuries of Jewellery: The National Museum of Ancient Art, Lisbon, " Leonor d'Orey, pg 36.

"Joyaux Renaissance, Une Splendeur Retrouvee," J. Kugel, plates 78 and 79.