Anglo-Saxon Bifacial Limestone Monumental Cross Arm with Interlaced Panels

CIRCA 9TH CENTURY A.D.

11 7/8 in. (5.67 kg total, 30 cm high including stand).

Portion of a lateral arm or head from a monumental cross of the Mercian Group with scoops at the junction with the shaft; Side A: a panel of dense knotwork within a raised border; Side B: a panel of coiled tendrils enmeshing the stems with vine-leaf finials; tooling and other marks to the undecorated faces; outer face (end): shallow incised cross.

Provenance

Acquired in the 1980s.
Ex S. Sherlock collection, Stoke-on-Trent, UK.

This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate no.11891-205888.

Literature

Cf. Murray, J., The Arts in Early England, Volume 1, London, 1921, p. XIV, showing Ruthwell cross with this type of 'winged' arm, made clearer in sketch form on p.117; cf. Murray, J., The Arts in Early England, Volume 2, London, 1937, pl. CVI, for similar form at Cropthorne; Cramp, R., New Directions in the Study of Anglo-Saxon Sculpture, in Transactions of the Leicestershire Archaeological and Historical Society, vol 64, 2010, fig.5, for a similar cross at Ruthwell, Dumfriesshire.

Footnotes

The lateral scoops form a partial round hole, one of four which give these crosses their characteristic form.

CONDITION

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LOT 0316