Dieppe Work Crucifix, Travail Dieppoise, Very Fine Bone Carved Corpus Christi 13 x 8 cm Mounted on velvet with Gilded Frame Circa 1830

Dieppe Work Crucifix, Travail Dieppoise, Very Fine Bone Carved Corpus Christi 13 x 8 cm Mounted on velvet with Gilded Frame Circa 1830

During the 1600′s, Dieppe, France was a flourishing seaport and a major commerce centre, one of the first in France. The Merchant Prince, D’Ango , brought great supplies of very fine bone from India to the port of Dieppe. The abundance of this material helped to establish Dieppe as a centre known for its fine carvings. Even though Dieppe lost its status as a thriving port after the bombardment during the war of 1694 with England, the unequalled delicacy of the toys and figures that were produced is still recognized today.

This stunning Corpus Christi was carved by one of the finest craftsmen of Dieppe although no one will ever know which one. Extremely few of the wonderful carvings from the supremely skilled artisans in Dieppe were ever signed. In fact at the museum in Dieppe itself, from the hundreds of exhibits that they have, only two are signed.

It would have been hugely expensive when it was first made and would be impossible to have done now.

The Corpus Christi Measures 13 x 8 centimetres and the beautiful gilded frame into which it sits is 29 x 20 centimetres.

Another example of a Corpus Christi from Dieppe is currently on sale at antiques-delaval.com for $1300 and it has a piece of Christ's crown and a piece of finger missing. This beautiful Corpus Christi is perfect.

It will ship by express carrier as standard.