Antique French Gothic Revival Bronze Crucifix Pendant with Shield Terminals, Circa 1860s-1900s

Cast bronze crucifix pendant in the Gothic Revival style, the arms ending in pointed foliate terminals set with shield-shaped cartouches, with beaded borders, a crowned bail and a separately cast corpus pinned to the cross. The high points are softly rubbed from long handling and the bronze has an even, aged patina.

The Gothic Revival swept French church art in the mid-19th century, inspired by the restoration of medieval cathedrals such as Notre-Dame de Paris. Devotional workshops in Paris and Lyon turned out crucifixes like this one with leafy, medieval-style terminals for rosaries, scapulars and pendants, and pilgrims and the faithful wore them daily, which is why so many show this kind of gentle wear.

Shows wear and patina consistent with age.