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Christian Crucifixes

Christian crucifixes, usually sculpted depictions of Jesus on the cross, have long been an important feature of Christian art. Although they are sometimes seen in Eastern Orthodox, Methodist, and Lutheran churches, they are most frequently used in Catholic churches and cathedrals as well as within homes for private worship.

Christians started using crucifixes during the 5th century A.D., with the earliest examples originating in Italy. During this time, monumental crucifixes were sculpted and decorated for liturgical use within churches and small, portable crucifixes were made for individual prayer. In both public and private settings, crucifixes encourage viewers to reflect upon the suffering of Christ and his ultimate sacrifice for humankind.

The iconography for crucifixes was originally drawn from Byzantine icons, which depicted Christ with an erect body and head and opened eyes. However, with the emergence of the Monophysite heresy during the 7th century A.D., people began to deny the human nature of Jesus. As a response to this claim, artists began portraying Christ with a limp body and closed eyes, emphasizing his mortality and death on the cross. Today, an incredible variety of crucifixes made of wood, metal, ivory, gold, silver, and other precious materials are available for Christians and collectors of religious art.


Quick Facts

  • On November 16, 2011, Christie’s Paris sold a carved ivory book binding representing the crucifixion for $776,560
  • On March 5, 2008, Christie’s Paris sold a procession crucifix of copper and gold glass c. 1200 for $95,178
  • Before the crucifixion of Christ, cross symbols were used in various regions of the ancient World. In Egypt, for example, the ankh represented the key of life

Recommended Items at Auction

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Standkreuz mit zwei Leuchtern als Beisteller, um 1900, Messing, reich ornamentiert, Alterssspuren, H
Feb 22, 10:00 AM CET
Standkreuz mit zwei Leuchtern als Beisteller, um 1900, Messing, reich ornamentiert, Alterssspuren, H
by Auktionshaus Mars
Est: €0- €0
€1205 Bids
Sakrales Konvolut mit zwei Kruzifixen und zwei Assistenzfiguren, unterschie
Feb 22, 10:00 AM CET
Sakrales Konvolut mit zwei Kruzifixen und zwei Assistenzfiguren, unterschie
by Auktionshaus Mars
Est: €0- €0
€2601 Bid
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Silvered Metal Crucifix
Mar 11, 10:00 AM EDT
Silvered Metal Crucifix
by Barry S. Slosberg Inc
Est: $40- $80
$151 Bid
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Lot of Fonts, Crucifix & Other
Mar 11, 10:00 AM EDT
Lot of Fonts, Crucifix & Other
by Barry S. Slosberg Inc
Est: $40- $80
$151 Bid
Reliquary cross in mother-of-pearl, lapis lazuli and coral
Feb 25, 12:00 PM CET
Reliquary cross in mother-of-pearl, lapis lazuli and coral
by Bertolami Fine Art s.r.l.
Est: €600- €800
€2001 Bid
Religious objects, a bronze cross with finely inlaid micro mosaic. Late 19th century.
Feb 19, 1:00 PM CET
Religious objects, a bronze cross with finely inlaid micro mosaic. Late 19th century.
by CR Art Auctions
Est: €100- €150
€501 Bid
Framed Station of The Cross
Feb 17, 6:00 PM EST
Framed Station of The Cross
by The Auction Barn
Est: $50- $1,000
$501 Bid
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3x Crucifixes
Feb 21, 5:30 PM CST
3x Crucifixes
by Hampton's Auction, Collectibles, & Retail, LLC
Est: $10- $30
$51 Bid
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LUIS Mª ÍÑIGUEZ PAILLOLE "Luis", Cristo Crucificado
Feb 13, 5:30 PM CET
LUIS Mª ÍÑIGUEZ PAILLOLE "Luis", Cristo Crucificado
by Arte Subastas Bilbao
Est: €0- €0
€1201 Bid
A RENAISSANCE CRUCIFIX, HAND PAINTED, ATTRIBUTED TO JACOPO DEL SELLAIO (1441-1493)
Feb 16, 12:00 PM EST
A RENAISSANCE CRUCIFIX, HAND PAINTED, ATTRIBUTED TO JACOPO DEL SELLAIO (1441-1493)
by Helios Auctions
Est: $2,000- $2,500
$1,5001 Bid
Twee relikwieën + kleine monstrans + corpus met relikwie + ingelijste Christusnagel
Feb 13, 1:30 PM CET
Twee relikwieën + kleine monstrans + corpus met relikwie + ingelijste Christusnagel
by Debaveye
Est: €250- €350
€1201 Bid
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Ethiopian Orthodox Church Processional Cross
Feb 22, 9:00 AM EST
Ethiopian Orthodox Church Processional Cross
by Keystone Auctions LLC
Est: $150- $300
$601 Bid
Wood, marble, lapislazuli, and bone cross
Feb 25, 12:00 PM CET
Wood, marble, lapislazuli, and bone cross
by Bertolami Fine Art s.r.l.
Est: €800- €1,000
€4800 Bids
ARISTIDE COLOTTE (1885-1959) Tête de Christ couronné d’épines, vers 1932
Feb 20, 3:00 PM CET
ARISTIDE COLOTTE (1885-1959) Tête de Christ couronné d’épines, vers 1932
by HVMC - Hôtel des Ventes de Monte-Carlo
Est: €1,500- €2,000
€1,5000 Bids
MASRIERA I CARRERAS. Silver crucifix, early 20th century.
Feb 13, 4:00 PM CET
MASRIERA I CARRERAS. Silver crucifix, early 20th century.
by Subarna Subastas
Est: €150- €250
€1500 Bids
MASRIERA I CARRERAS. SILVER AND ENAMEL CRUCIFIX, EARLY 20TH CENTURY.
Feb 13, 4:00 PM CET
MASRIERA I CARRERAS. SILVER AND ENAMEL CRUCIFIX, EARLY 20TH CENTURY.
by Subarna Subastas
Est: €300- €800
€3000 Bids
The Descent From The Cross Bronze Plaque
Feb 15, 2:00 PM EST
The Descent From The Cross Bronze Plaque
by Connoisseur Online
Est: $600- $800
$4000 Bids
CA. 1892 FRENCH PORTABLE CRUCIFIX SHRINE, FOLDING CASE, BOUASSE-JEUNE CO.
Feb 16, 12:00 PM EST
CA. 1892 FRENCH PORTABLE CRUCIFIX SHRINE, FOLDING CASE, BOUASSE-JEUNE CO.
by Helios Auctions
Est: $700- $900
$4000 Bids
AN ANTIQUE SILVER STANDING CROSS HOLY WATER FONT
Feb 28, 10:00 AM CET
AN ANTIQUE SILVER STANDING CROSS HOLY WATER FONT
by Ostantix Auctions
Est: €700- €800
€6000 Bids
Russian Orthodox Gilt Bronze Crucifix
Mar 06, 11:00 AM EST
Russian Orthodox Gilt Bronze Crucifix
by Auctions at Showplace
Est: $300- $500
$1000 Bids
Houten kruis met parelmoerinleg van accanthusranken
Feb 13, 1:30 PM CET
Houten kruis met parelmoerinleg van accanthusranken
by Debaveye
Est: €80- €120
€400 Bids

Sellers Who Sell Christian Crucifixes


Eternity Gallery

Eternity Gallery

Bertolami Fine Art s.r.l.

Bertolami Fine Art s.r.l.

Templum Fine Art Auctions

Templum Fine Art Auctions

Auktionshaus Mars

Auktionshaus Mars