Beeld van Christus before 1878

Here we see Paul Joseph Nicolas Nestor Schaffers’s ivory Christ, mounted upon a cross. The cross, an ancient symbol predating Christianity, adopted a new profound significance with Christ’s crucifixion. Consider the evolution of this potent symbol. Long before its association with Christian martyrdom, the cross appeared in various forms across different cultures, often linked to cosmological or spiritual concepts. In ancient Egypt, the ankh, a cross with a loop, symbolized life. Similarly, the swastika, a hooked cross, was used in ancient Eastern religions to represent well-being. The image of Christ on the cross has permeated Western culture, evoking deep emotional responses. The suffering and sacrifice embodied in this image tap into our collective memory of pain, loss, and redemption, creating a psychological connection that transcends time. This ivory Christ is part of a larger tapestry of images, continually re-emerging and evolving. The symbol of the cross has proven itself a powerful vehicle for expressing complex human experiences.