Crucifix of Ferdinand and Sancha

Latin cross with straight arms, bearing the crucified Christ on the obverse, with a receptacle on the back for storing a relic of the wood of the True Cross, turning the piece into a locket. The figure of Christ is stylised and wears a perizoma, or loincloth, tied at the waist. The head stands out, turned slightly to the right, with a bearded face and long hair. His eyes are open and the pupils are created by inserting two jet beads into the ivory. The composition is completed with the presence of Adam coming out of his tomb in the lower part, and in the upper part the risen Christ carrying a cross by the shaft. The decorative border shows a series of intertwined human and animal figures. On the back there is a depiction of the tetramorph in the four corners of the cross, and in the centre the Agnus Dei, completed with intertwined human and animal figures and plant elements. Very small traces of a gold leaf covering remain. This is one of the most outstanding examples of medieval Christian ivory carving. The piece can be dated to around the decade 1050-1060 as it was part of the donation given to the collegiate church of San Isidoro of León in 1063 by King Ferdinand I of León and his wife Sancha, whose names appear on the lower part of the front of the cross.