Kiss Of Peace (pax) In Gilded And Polychrome Bronze – Pietà, Mater Dolorosa, Spain, 16th Century

Kiss of Peace (Pax) in gilt and polychrome bronze – Pietà, Mater Dolorosa - Castile, Spain, circa 1575–1600 – Late Renaissance.

Important liturgical pax in patinated and gilt bronze, from the Renaissance period, representing the Pietà: the Virgin Mary supporting the body of Christ after the Crucifixion.
Poignant iconography of the Mater Dolorosa, treated with an expressive naturalism typical of late 16th-century Castilian sculpture.

Description:

The scene is arranged in an altarpiece-like structure with side columns and a semicircular arch. In the background appears the cross of Golgotha, reinforcing the theological interpretation of the scene.
The central group is enhanced with early polychromy (greens, flesh tones, ochres), now partially flaking, which is normal for this type of devotional object. The original gilding is largely preserved, with even wear and an authentic patina.
The crowning element is adorned with small sculpted pinnacles, reinforcing the architectural and liturgical aspect of the piece.

On the reverse, the original bronze stirrup is present, attesting to its ritual use during Mass.

Dimensions: H. 16 cm x W. 10 cm

Condition:

Good old condition, normal wear, polychromy partially missing, original patina intact

Provenance: Chiaramonte Bordonaro Collection, Palermo Bibliographic reference: César González Zamora Plata y Bronces en la colección Bordonaro, Tome I, Caligrama, Spain, 2021, pp. 163–164, inventory no. 178.

Identical examples are held in the following public collections:
• Museo Frederic Marès, Barcelona (inv. 1678)
• Museo Nacional de Artes Decorativas (MNAD), Madrid (inv. CE06033 and CE06088)

This is a high-quality museum piece, characteristic of late 16th-century Castilian production.

The expressive intensity of the faces, the preservation of the polychromy, and the documented provenance make this a rare piece on the market.

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