CRUCIFIX

An incomplete cast copper alloy corpus (body of Christ) from a later medieval crucifix or reliquay box (1300-1500 AD). This fragment consits of the lower portion of the corpus, which has broke at the waist / across the loin cloth. The figure is disproportionate with relatively short legs compared to length waist - the Christ figure wears a moulded loin cloth, and has broke diagonally along the central fold in the lion cloth. The folds in the loin cloth are emphaized by incised lines. The legs are moulded and slightly apart, the lower legs bent inwards and the right foot overlaps the left. The toes are defined by incised lines. There is a large circular hole (diameter 3.5mm) through the feet to nail the figure to the cross. The reverse face is relatively flat with the legs being moulded in three dimensions whist the area behind the loin cloth having a distinct rectangular recess.There is no evidence of enamel or gilding and the figure is a mid green colour with a poorly preserved and corroded patina - where the green coloured corrosion is removed a dull brown coloured metal shows through. There are a number of similar christ corpus mounts on the PAS database - all date from the very late medieval period (and are mostly post limoge in style). A good complete example can be seen from Berwick, East Sussex (SUSS-A0AA27). These mounts could have beenn from high - processional crosses, reliquary caskets or shrines.

The corpus is 58.4mm long, 12.9mmm wide across the waist, and approximately 9.2mm from front to reverse. These are maximum dimensions of the fragment. It weighs 20.8 grams.

SUSS-A0AA27 is a similar crufix.