Large Alcove Crucifix, Christ In Carved Boxwood Dlg By Girardon Or Bouchardon, 18th-19th Century

Large Christ in carved boxwood with a superb patina, whose fine execution is on the one hand remarkable in quality, and on the other hand admirable from the point of view of the mastery of the anatomical treatment. The rendering both in terms of the musculature and the skeleton, and the level of detail pushed down to the phalanges, and even to the tips of the nails, is touching in its realism.
Christ is represented here imbued with serenity, his head with wavy hair encircled by the crown of thorns inclined to the right and his eyes half-closed.
The perizonium with its many folds, tied on the right side, presents a beautiful drape around the hips of Christ.
This is a work most likely from the 18th century, inspired by the masterpieces of great sculptors such as François Girardon (17th century), or Edmé Bouchardon and Philippe Caffieri (18th century).
The hands and feet of Christ are nailed to a large trilobed cross (symbol of the Holy Trinity) with double patina gilding.
The top of the cross bears the inscription INRI, the initials of the Titulus Crucis that Pontius Pilate had affixed to identify Jesus the Nazarene King of the Jews.
The crucifix is placed in a large and beautiful arched frame from a later period (19th century), in wood and stucco gilded with leaf (wear to the gilding). This frame is decorated with a fine fleur-de-lis frieze around the edge, as well as Rocaille decorations at the corners and at the top, and its interior wooden panel is covered with red velvet.
Dimensions of Christ: total height 48 cm, and 40 cm from head to toe, width 31 cm at the level of the outstretched arms. Dimensions of the frame: height 100 cm, width 62 cm.