ZANTINE REVIVAL 1850 Enameled Polychrome Cross In 18Kt

Byzantine revival enameled Christian Cross Fabulous antique cross, created in Europe in the middle of the 19th century, circa 1850. This exceptional rare cross has been crafted with Byzantine and renaissance revival patterns in solid yellow gold of 18 karats with polished finish and fitted on top with a movable ring to wear in a chain. The cross is embellished with a gorgeous inlaid figure of a crucified Christ decorated with the difficult polychrome enamel technique, called Peinture sur émail. The craftmanship is exceptionally well done and surely is a one-of-a-kind conversation piece. Peinture sur émail technique Peinture sur émail is a French type of painting with enamels. It was developed at the end of the 15th century in Limoges, France. In this technique, a slightly convex, metal plate is covered with a fondant of uniform color which was d to produce a vitreous base for the drawing. On this, the artist starts applying color after color in thin layers onto the base color with a paintbrush. It is vital that one starts with the colors of the highest flowing temperature to avoid the diffusing of colors at a later stage. Between every step, the intermediate depiction needed to be d in the oven to fixate the colors, sometimes up to 20 rounds of heating are needed for the final result. In this manner, one was able to rival the oil painters of the day and artists such as Leonard Limousin were in high regard, often even employed by the patrons of the arts. Needless to