Descent From The Cross, Mechelen 17th Century

Anonymous, Descent from the Alabaster Cross, (carved), circa 1600-1625 The alabaster relief is a typical product of Mechelen art and craftsmanship. Between the 1560s and 1630s, the town of Dyle was even one of the most important European centers for the manufacture of such jewelry. The performances were mostly biblical. This represents the descent from the cross of Christ. In the foreground is the body of Christ with the grieving Marys, John and Joseph of Arimathea holding the crown of thorns. Unfortunately, the cross has disappeared, but in the background you can still see the ladder with which the body was removed from the cross. A beautifully detailed relief 16cm high.