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Crucifix - Wall Art
Redeemer of the World #2542W
Rouault Crucifix #2143-OCG
Redeemer of the World
Released 1950's
The exact introduction date is unknown but catalog entries state Redeemer of the World was released in the 1950's and completed in 1965. The corpus used for this crucifix is the same as the component used from the earlier version "Corpus Christi".
Finishes:
Stained Glass color (possibly also in white)
Parian color and white
Issue Price / Completed Price
NA $10 white
NA $15 color
Design number 2542
Crucifix items are found with a variety of identifying marks and often with none at all. As stated in numerous places on this site the studio used stickers to mark many items. Those stickers are often no longer attached as can be seen above where residue remains on the wood surface indicating a sticker had once been attached. This particular example also has the pink cursive Cybis stamp on the back of the halo above Christ's head. It appears in the lower left quarter.
There are five different halo designs, and possibly more, that were used in various sizes. While the two shown here on Redeemer of the World are the same design they are not the same size. The white copy measures 2" wide while the color halo measures 2 1/2" wide.
Measures 16" x 9"
Measurements declared in the studio's publications were for the item's size upon its initial release. Production sizes vary from piece to piece. The wooden crosses were supplied by an outside vendor. The studio did use the same stock of wooden crosses for various pieces. It may be the decision was made to go to just one or two standard sizes as opposed to several custom sizes. Whatever happened, marketing material was never updated to reflect the changes. Both the color and white copies shown here measure 8 1/2" wide by 16" long.
This example has a much longer cross and clearly has color variations in the halo and Christ's hair.
Several examples with the Stained Glass finish have Christ's hair in green. In each case his beard is not painted but rather is the same color as his face. If only one example existed like this it could be assumed it was just an artist's error or intentional decision to decorate the crucifix in such a manner. But with three examples (the other two are on the Rouault crucifix shown later) it cannot be explained as an error. The previous example with brown hair indicates there were two color choices at play here.
The corpus and halo were attached to the wooden cross using a commercial strength bonding agent. Once set, it hardened and was a dark green similar to floral clay used by florists. While many pieces found today are still in tact (after 70 years) and the bonding agent is still providing strong adhesion, some items have become separated. This is of no surprise considering temperature and humidity play a factor in how long any adhesive will securely bond china or porcelain surfaces to wood.
Crucifixion Wall Plaque
Released 1950's
Design number 2543
This hybrid crucifix was created by attaching plaque #266 to a wooden cross. It was released and retired during the 1950's.
Finishes:
Stained Glass color and white
Issue Price / Completed Price
$NA $NA
Design number 2543
Design number 2543
This wall plaque was sold as shown above in various colors and finishes or it was attached to a wooden cross as shown previously. It was also attached as a component for a holy water font. The plaque alone measures 5" x 4 1/2".
Design variations include plaques with a floral adornment at the bottom.
Measures 12" x 8 1/2" (cross L x W)
Measures 12" x 8 1/2" (cross L x W)
The Crucifixion plaque when attached to the wooden cross was sold as design number 2543. Like other pieces attached to wooden products this cross also had a Cybis sticker on the back (now missing). This plaque also had the design number written on the back of the plaque.
Rouault Crucifix
Released 1950's
The introduction date given in the catalog is "1950's" with retirement being "Late 1950's". This unique corpus follows the style of the early 20th century French artist Georges-Henri Rouault. While the design number is not listed, the crucifix was mentioned in the 1972 catalog listing of older Cybis sculptures as the "Rouault Crucifix".
Finishes:
Stained Glass color (possibly also in white)
Old Coin Gold as a Primary
Issue Price / Completed Price
$NA $37.50
Design number 2143
Georges-Henri Rouault 1871-1958
Cybis purchased and used the work of many artists in the production of fine china and porcelain sculptures. But only one artist had his work officially recognized in any Cybis studio catalogs or brochures. That honor goes to an artist from France, Georges-Henri Rouault. The Rouault Crucifix is the only Cybis sculpture to carry the name of the creating artist (or at least the artist to which it was attributed). Rouault died in 1958, one year after Boleslaw died. It is not known if Georges and Boleslaw knew each other or how this crucifix came to the studio. It is possible Rouault created it for Cybis as a gift or even sold it to them for reproduction. It was the first item of only four sculptures in the modern style the studio would issue.
Measures 12" x 8 1/2"
This example is finished in Old Coin Gold as a Primary. It has a noticeably shorter cross. The catalog measurements state the length is 12". The Old Coin Gold sculpture's cross does in fact measure 12" in length. The standard Stained Glass version has a cross measuring 13" in length which appears to be closer to the proportions of other crucifixes. Two additional stained glass copies were offered on the secondary market over the last decade with longer crosses. Therefore it's likely the wood stock being supplied by the vendor changed and the last official measurements for this crucifix became the official numbers published in the catalogs during the late 1970's.
Note the green hair on both copies above. This was intentional as the beard on each sculpture is the same color as the face.
This Rouault Crucifixion scene is typical of the many crucifixion paintings done during his life.
The Old Coin Gold copy still has the original Cybis sticker with the designer number 2143.
Crucifix 2144
Released 1950's
The largest crucifix the studio issued is listed on the 1963 price list under the "Objects D'Art" section titled simply as "Crucifix". No other name or description is given. The original issue date and issue price is still unknown. It was listed as completed in 1965.
Finishes:
Parian color
Parian white
Issue Price / Completed Price
$NA $75.00 white
$NA $90.00
Design number 2144
Catalogs from the late 1970's list the measurements larger at 21" x 15". If an increase was made to the size of the wooden cross it would have been after 1963 as the price list states 20 1/2" x 14 1/2". On a piece this large a half inch does not seem like much, but the studio had a reason for changing the dimensions. The traditional cross shown in the previous picture is true to the 1963 price list. It wouldn't make sense for the studio to simply round up the numbers. Perhaps an item remaining in the archives was on slightly oversized wood stock and those numbers were used when creating the lists for material published later.
This white copy was mounted on a very modern style wooden cross. Likely a later edition just before the crucifix was retired in 1965. It measures 16" x 14", a full four inches shorter than the earlier models.
Measures 20 1/2" x 14 1/2" on the traditional cross
Crucifix 2144 was also sold in all Parian white on the traditional cross.
Crucifix Corpus Christi
Released 1950's
One of the earliest, if not the first, crucifixes the studio offered was created from a commercial mold purchased from Holland Mold Company. It is the only sculpture known to use Parian white and Stained Glass white together on the same piece. The corpus is bisque while the cross is glazed.
Finishes:
Stained Glass color (likely)
Parian white on Stained Glass white (shown)
Issue Price / Completed Price
$NA $NA
Design number not known
The design number, actual pricing, release and completed dates are not yet known for this crucifix. One like it was offered on the secondary market in the early 1970's by a highly reputable gallery. It was documented with the name of "Crucifix Corpus Christi". There is no doubt this was the name assigned by the studio as the gallery offering it for sale had approximately 20 early Cybis 1950's sculptures listed, all with names that have been verified. Another known fact is that the corpus from this crucifix was used to create the "Redeemer of the World" number 2542 shown above. It's possible this crucifix was retired when Redeemer of the World was introduced utilizing the wooden cross. If that is the case, Corpus Christi was only available for a short period. Obviously, with only two documented items (one from the Gallery listing in the early 70's and this item from the collection of a former Cybis employee) the sculpture is extremely rare.
Measures 12 1/2" x 6"
Measures 12 1/2" x 6"
In normal lighting Corpus Christi in white appears rather plain. However, in filtered lighting the bisque on glazed contrast can be very dramatic. The surprising detail of the sculpture comes alive with accent lighting which makes this subtle piece a prize when found.