Christ Crucified between the Virgin and Saint John
Unknown Artist
14th century
Medium
Sardonyx, rock crystal, gold and enamel mount
Dimensions
Overall: 1 3/4 x 1 1/4 x 7/16 in. (4.4 x 3.1 x 1.1 cm) visible cameo: 1 x 3/4 in. (2.5 x 1.9 cm)
Classification
Lapidary Work-Sardonyx
Culture
French (?)
Department
Medieval Art
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
The Milton Weil Collection, 1940
Accession Number
40.20.59
Tags
Art Historical Context
This exquisite 14th-century devotional object, *Christ Crucified between the and Saint John*, captures poignant moment from the Crucifixion: on the cross flanked by the sorrowful Virgin Mary and Saint John the Evangelist.ed as a tiny cameo from sardonyx—a banded chalcedony prized for its layers that allow skilled engravers to create dramatic light-and-shadow effects—the visible carving measures just 1 x 3/4 inches. It is set within a lavish mount of rock crystal, gold, and, transforming it into a wearable jewel likely intended for personal piety. Likely French, this lapidary work exemplifies ...