Pair of 18th-Century French Brass Standing Crucifixes

An evocative pair of French brass standing crucifixes, likely dating from the 18th century, each with a tall slender stem, stepped architectural base and fleur-de-lis detailing. Though closely related in character, the two differ subtly in their engraved decoration, terminals and figures of Christ; one also bears a small skull and crossbones motif beneath the corpus, symbolizing Golgotha. Their variations are part of their charm and suggest individually made devotional objects rather than a formally matched pair. Walter Wells began collecting crucifixes over many years, finding them in Paris shops and Provençal brocantes. Mostly French and dating from the 17th to 19th centuries, they fascinated him for their variations in form, materials and detail, particularly given his strict Protestant upbringing, where religious imagery was largely absent. Over time, Walter came to see each crucifix not simply as an object, but as an individual expression of sacrifice, grace, forgiveness and acceptance. Several examples from his collection are available for separate purchase.