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Mid-Century Modern Ceramic Cross

About the Item

This distinctive mid-century modern ceramic wall cross represents a unique fusion of religious symbolism and the aesthetic principles of the mid-20th century European studio pottery movement. The piece is handcrafted, featuring an innovative design that integrates traditional Christian iconography with the abstract, experimental style characteristic of the period. The cross exhibits a rich, deep brown glaze juxtaposed with vibrant spots of a luminescent green, which may signify the intersection of the earthly and the divine. The central motif, a stylized sunburst, radiates from the heart of the cross, symbolizing the light of faith or the resurrection. The surrounding elements, reminiscent of stained glass windows, add a textural depth and complexity, inviting contemplation. The cross's slim profile contrasts with the dynamic surface treatment, creating a piece that is as much a work of art as it is an object of devotion. This piece would have been part of a broader trend among mid-century artists, who sought to reinterpret traditional forms and themes through the lens of contemporary art movements. The anonymous artist behind this creation has left a tangible mark of personal expression within the context of a cultural and spiritual symbol. The cross would have been both a personal statement for the home and a reflection of the period's broader artistic currents. Our European cross collection (Tradition & Modernism) is composed of one-of-a-kind, handcrafted pieces made by Studio Pottery artists from the 1950s to 1970s. They show a range of diverse styles, from modernism to brutalism. Each artist has taken a unique approach to depict faith through the language of art and the medium of ceramics. Through this collection, artists merge artistic expression with traditional religious iconography, blending established symbols, motifs, and narratives with contemporary artistic styles. This thoughtful and deliberate endeavor demands both artistic skill and a profound understanding of the cultural and spiritual significance of the subject matter. Through this synthesis, artists create works that reflect their individual creativity while honoring centuries-old traditions of religious imagery. The resulting artworks resonate with both aesthetic and spiritual significance, offering viewers a seamless integration of artistic and religious elements.
  • Dimensions:
    Height: 7.88 in (20.02 cm)Width: 5.38 in (13.67 cm)Depth: 0.75 in (1.91 cm)
  • Style:
    Mid-Century Modern (Of the Period)
  • Materials and Techniques:
  • Place of Origin:
  • Period:
  • Date of Manufacture:
    Circa 1950
  • Condition:
    Wear consistent with age and use.
  • Seller Location:
    Chicago, IL
  • Reference Number:
    Seller: Ref: Cross 86 - 20231stDibs: LU5962234634372
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