Crucifx Figure

This ivory figure representing Christ on the cross was made in the Netherlands or France in ca. 1700. The cross is in walnut and ebonised wood of later date. The crucifix had been bequeathed to the donor's father in 1839 by Henry Philip Hope (1774-1839), the youngest brother of the designer and collector Thomas Hope (1769-1831). Henry Philip Hope was likewise a collector, particularly of Dutch an Flemish paintings, as well as diamonds. On considering the acquisition Eric Maclagan, keeper of Architecture and Sculpture, notes that it was 'a very good example of the rather conventional ivory Christ of the XVIIth century type', and 'would be an acceptable addition to our collections even without its interesting provenance'.