Antique Ivory Christ with Silver Fittings and Certificate. France, 18th Century

Antique Ivory Christ on Ebonised Wood Cross with Silver Fittings. Certificate. France, 18th Century

Magnificent and moving representation of the expirant Christ, carved in elephant ivory and mounted on an elegant ebonised wood cross enriched with finely embossed silver fittings. The piece originates from a French workshop and is dated to the second half of the 18th century, a period when the finest European sacred art workshops produced such pieces for private chapels and noble oratories. The sculpture stands out for its exceptional carving quality and expressive power.

The body of Christ, carved with outstanding skill, presents a carefully modelled anatomy, with an impressive rendering of veins and musculature. The face, with a serene and composed expression, captures the final moment of expiration, conveying a profound sense of contemplation to the viewer. The perizonium, executed with great virtuosity, features double folds and a central cord, creating a beautiful play of drapery that adds dynamism and elegance to the piece.

The figure has been carved from several pieces of ivory assembled according to the period’s standard practice. Legs, torso and head are carved from a single block. The arms were carved separately and attached using the traditional method of dowel joints and antique nails. The left arm shows a visible restoration on one of the fingers, an honest intervention that does not diminish the appeal or value of the piece. The visible cracks in the ivory are natural and inherent to its age, adding authenticity. The ebonised wood cross, likely ebony or stained wood, is in excellent condition, free of repainting or alterations. The embossed silver fittings elegantly adorn the ends of the cross, the INRI cartouche, and the base with the skull and crossed bones, symbol of Golgotha.

These types of Christ figures were highly prized in their time as high-level devotional objects, intended for private chapels, family oratories, or as pious gifts among the nobility and upper bourgeoisie. The piece is accompanied by a certificate of authenticity and age issued by a court expert, further enhancing its value and interest for collectors and institutions. Today, this piece represents an outstanding example of ivory sculptural virtuosity, offering an impressive and moving presence that makes it a treasure for any lover of sacred art. It would be perfect for reintegration into Church use, ideal for a parish, or to enrich a collection of European devotional art.

During the 17th and 18th centuries, ivory carving experienced a true golden age in Europe, particularly in France, where renowned workshops flourished in Paris, Dieppe and Lyon. In this context, ivory Christs of extraordinary quality were created to meet the demands of the upper classes, who sought refined and artistically valuable devotional objects. Expirant ivory Christs are characterised by the restrained drama of their depictions and the technical mastery required to work this noble and fragile material. Artisans carefully selected ivory sections and assembled them skillfully to achieve perfect visual harmony. This process included the separate carving of arms and sometimes the head, a technique that allowed for more expressive modelling. The resulting works were highly valued and often mounted on noble wood crosses enriched with precious metal fittings.

Throughout the 18th century, French taste evolved towards increasingly naturalistic and emotive representations, as exemplified by this Christ. The serene expression and anatomical details aim to move the faithful and encourage spiritual contemplation. Today, 18th-century French ivory Christs are highly prized by collectors and museums for their rarity, quality and historical significance, bearing witness to a time when art, faith and technique were intertwined in sublime harmony.

Do not miss this exceptional opportunity to acquire a unique work of art with character, history and undeniable artistic value.

Dimensions: 70.5 × 39.5 cm (27.7 × 15.5 in). Christ figure: 26 cm high (10.2 in) and 23.5 cm (9.25 in) across the arms.

IMPORTANT: Due to current regulations on antique ivory, this piece cannot be exported outside Europe. The export of ivory, even antique, to countries outside the European Union is prohibited under current legislation.