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Collection of the Lowe Art Museum, University of Miami
Crucifix
Collection of the Lowe Art Museum, University of Miami
© Lowe Art Museum, University of Miami. All rights reserved.

Crucifix

Artist/Maker (Democratic Republic of the Congo)
Date16th century
Mediumwood and copper alloy
DimensionsOverall: 20 3/8 x 9 1/2 x 1 1/8 in. (51.8 x 24.1 x 2.9 cm)
ClassificationsVisual Works
Credit LineGift of The May Department Stores Company
Terms
    Object number68.002.006
    DescriptionPortuguese landed at the mouth of the Congo River in 1482. By 1490, Christian missionaries had converted the royal family. The Christian image of the crucifix was congenial to the Kongo people who regarded it as similar to their own powerful religious concept of the four moments of the sun – birth, life, death, and renewal – shown in the form of a four armed cross. It also reminded them of the sign of the crossroads, a place of great portent for most Africans.
    On View
    On view
    Collections
    Collection of the Lowe Art Museum, University of Miami
    Nigeria, Yoruba people
    collected between 1960-1973
    Collection of the Lowe Art Museum, University of Miami
    Mino da Fiesole
    1461
    Collection of the Lowe Art Museum, University of Miami
    Artist Unknown
    19th century
    Collection of the Lowe Art Museum, University of Miami
    Artist Unknown
    19th century
    Collection of the Lowe Art Museum, University of Miami
    Teotihuacán
    ca. 600-900
    Collection of the Lowe Art Museum, University of Miami
    Artist Unknown
    4th century
    Collection of the Lowe Art Museum, University of Miami
    Artist Unknown
    ca. 330-641
    Collection of the Lowe Art Museum, University of Miami
    Artist Unknown
    6th century
    Collection of the Lowe Art Museum, University of Miami
    Artist Unknown
    3rd to 5th century
    Collection of the Lowe Art Museum, University of Miami
    Artist Unknown
    3rd century
    Collection of the Lowe Art Museum, University of Miami
    Artist Unknown
    ca. 330-641
    Collection of the Lowe Art Museum, University of Miami
    Artist Unknown
    6th century