Processional cross
Author: Unknown
Date: 15th century
Material: White silver
Dimensions (cm): H 82 x W 44
Provenance: Guimarães, Colegiada de Nossa Senhora da Oliveira
Inventory No.: MAS O 19
The arms of this cross terminate in fleur-de-lis and in the intersection of the arms, on the obverse, there’s the representation of crucified Christ and, on the reverse, the figure of God the Father, wearing a mitre.
This cross was part of the liturgical plate of the Igreja de São Miguel do Castelo and it was probably used in the common ritual of that religious space. Some authors state that this was probably a present by the first Bragança Duke Dom Afonso to the Igreja de São Miguel do Castelo, but there still isn’t any documental information that might confirm it.
During the French invasions, it was hidden in a cereals chest to prevent it from being robbed by Napoleon’s soldiers.