Post-Revolution 19th-Century French Brass and Crystal Reliquary Crucifix

An elegant 19th-century French reliquary crucifix in brass with a likely crystal insert at the stem. The cross is richly ornamented with Gothic-style detailing and a finely cast figure of Christ, while two kneeling angels flank the lower section in adoration. The clear reliquary element and stepped circular base give the piece a particularly sculptural presence. Made after the French Revolution, it belongs to a period when religious life and devotional craftsmanship re-emerged after the widespread confiscation, dispersal, and destruction of church property and sacred objects. 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.