Cast Iron Cemetery Cross with Virgin Mary — French, 19th Century

Cast Iron Cemetery Cross with Virgin Mary — French, 19th Century

An antique French cast iron cemetery cross, pierced throughout with openwork tracery, scrolling foliage and radiating palm fronds, centred on a relief figure of the Virgin Mary within a halo. The arms terminate in cusped Gothic-revival heart forms, the shaft descending into an interlaced stem and scrolled foot with spikes for setting into a stone base. Crosses of this type were cast in quantity by French foundries from the mid-19th century onward — sold through catalogues and set over graves and at roadside shrines in villages across the country, a devotional form made possible by industrial iron casting. The surface is now a deep oxidised rust, the casting still crisp in the drapery and foliage. Striking on a wall, against a stone garden wall, or set into a plinth.

Details:

Estimated Origin: France

Period: Late 19th century, c. 1880–1900

Material: Cast iron with natural oxidised rust surface

Condition: Honest condition consistent with age and long outdoor life — expect heavy oxidation and surface rust, pitting, flaking scale, minor casting losses and old chips to the finer openwork. Traces of gilding remain in places. Not stabilised or treated; will mark surfaces and hands. Sold as a characterful decorative antique — please review all photos as part of the description.

Approximate Measurements: 29.5" x 16.5" x 1.2" (75 x 42 x 3 cm)