Calvary cross

The symbol of the cross is in itself a distinctive element of Christianity. Although this example is missing the figure of Christ that should be fixed to the cross, its constituent elements nevertheless stand out, for the arms and shaft are mounted on a stepped base representing Calvary.
In India many Calvary scenes exhibit features in terms of form and decoration that are characteristic of Indo-Portuguese art from the 17th and 18th centuries. This Calvary cross is made of Indian rosewood and adorned with small cut-out-star-shaped rosettes, and by studs and lace-like trimmings that shine on gilded tombac (?). The cavities carved out from the flat-bottomed support base would once have been filled with small ivory images of Christ portraying in sequence various scenes from the Passion.