Large Christ In Ivory - Paris Workshop, First Half Of The XIXᵉ Century

Presented on a sober black metal base, total height: 75 cm

Christ from arms to feet: 69 cm

This elephant ivory Christ, from a Paris workshop in the first half of the XIXᵉ century, impresses first with its exceptional height of 69 cm, a rare dimension for this precious material. This monumentality gives it an almost sculptural presence in the classical sense, comparable to works in marble or polychrome wood, and immediately reveals the artistic ambition of its creator.

The work, though deeply rooted in religious tradition, goes beyond simple devotional representation. Here, Christ on the cross becomes a veritable objet d'art, where a sense of movement, mastery of proportions and delicate modeling transform the scene of torture into a meditation on beauty, suffering and humanity. The face, slightly tilted, expresses a poignant gentleness: the half-open mouth, the gaze turned skyward and the finely openwork crown of thorns testify to the utmost precision. The body, meanwhile, reveals an in-depth knowledge of anatomy: muscles, veins and ribs are rendered with a subtlety that betrays a high level of academic training. The perizonium, tied at the side, features supple, nervous folds of typically French elegance.

The ivory, perfectly polished, reveals its natural veining, which the artist has integrated into the composition to reinforce the body's realism. The arms, added in the tradition of the great crucifixes, allow for an ample, expressive posture, while the patina, lightly gilded by time, underlines the nobility of the material and the excellent conservation of the whole.

In 19thᵉ century Paris, workshops specializing in ivory sculpture vied with each other in virtuosity to satisfy both collectors and religious institutions. This monumental Christ perfectly illustrates this dual vocation: it is both an object of piety and a work destined to be admired for its formal perfection.

By the purity of its modelling, the accuracy of its expression and the unusual scale of its dimensions, this piece stands out as a remarkable example of religious sculpture. The image-maker, who remains anonymous but clearly trained in a workshop of excellence, manages to unite sacred pathos and aesthetic refinement. This crucifix thus appears as much as a manifestation of faith as a masterpiece in which precious material becomes the vector of a universal emotion.

Excellent condition. Sold with its CITES certificate of authenticity