Processional cross

Author: Unknown

Date: 1547

Material: White and gilt silver

Dimensions (cm): H 154,5 x W 74 x D 28

Provenance: Guimarães, Colegiada de Nossa Senhora da Oliveira

Inventory No.: MAS O 43

Considered a national treasure, this cross has a voluminous knop of marked architectonic features organized in three distinct tiers. On the lower tier, on both sides, there are the free-standing figures of Moses and David. On the six sides, bas-reliefs represent Christ’s Passion, in a type of preparation for the drama of Calvary. Some follow very closely the engravings of the Small Passion in Copper and the wood cuts of the Passion by the German painter and engraver Albrecht Dürer (1471 – 1528). The buttresses are occupied by the figures of the doctors of the Church (Saint Gregory, Saint Jerome, Saint Ambrose and Saint Augustine).

On the second tier, the bas-reliefs of Christ, the Virgin, Salomé and of the Prophet Daniel stand out while on the third level, there’s the representation of the Pietà, of the Resurrection and of the evangelists.

In a prominent position, the figure of the Crucified Christ stands out, made of gilt silver, contrasting with the remaining structure in white silver.

While revealing attachment to the Manueline interpretation of the traditional Gothic style, the authors of the Great Cross, however, introduce clearly Renaissance forms in the respective ornamentation. Such a stylistic duality is, in fact, frequent at the time.

This cross is considered the biggest processional cross in Portugal as it is 1,54 metres high and it weighs 16,245 kg.

This piece was a present from canon Gonçalo Anes († 1540), who instituted a majorat in Segade and the chapels of the Santíssimo Sacramento (in the Collegiate Church) and of Nossa Senhora da Madre de Deus (in Azurém). This ceremonial plate was continuously used in the Corpus Christi procession and in the sung vespers of the feast of the Holy Cross.