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Lot Essay
Although there has been extensive research into the Mosan and Limoges schools of enamelling, relatively little time has been devoted to other centres although they have long been known to exist. It has been suggested that the present processional cross, with its elaborate and highly sophisticated decoration, is either of Spanish or Hungarian origin.
Certainly the repeating motif of the eight-sided star shape suggests the influence of the geometric patterns found in ceramic tiles and architectural carving of moorish Spain. In addition, the small cast finials which are attached to the edges of the cross suggest a knowledge of Italian fashion, and there were strong cultural cross currents between Spain and Italy in this period. The overall form of the cross is common in the 14th and 15th centuries, but the lettering of the central monogram suggests a slightly later, 16th century, date. In addition, there is a pax in the Victoria and Albert Museum depicting the Virgin and Child (M325-1956) which is described as Spanish, circa 1530. It uses the same, thickly opaque, white and blue enamel enclosed by borders designed to simulate the wire borders evident on the cross here. The cross would therefore seem to be an extremely rare and complete survival of Spanish enamel in the late mediaeval or early renaissance period.
Certainly the repeating motif of the eight-sided star shape suggests the influence of the geometric patterns found in ceramic tiles and architectural carving of moorish Spain. In addition, the small cast finials which are attached to the edges of the cross suggest a knowledge of Italian fashion, and there were strong cultural cross currents between Spain and Italy in this period. The overall form of the cross is common in the 14th and 15th centuries, but the lettering of the central monogram suggests a slightly later, 16th century, date. In addition, there is a pax in the Victoria and Albert Museum depicting the Virgin and Child (M325-1956) which is described as Spanish, circa 1530. It uses the same, thickly opaque, white and blue enamel enclosed by borders designed to simulate the wire borders evident on the cross here. The cross would therefore seem to be an extremely rare and complete survival of Spanish enamel in the late mediaeval or early renaissance period.