1950s Breton Seashell Crucifix Handcrafted French Maritime Folk Art

Description.

An exceptional and remarkably complete mid-20th-century standing seashell crucifix (crucifix en coquillages), originating from Brittany (Bretagne), France, circa 1950s. Originally acquired in France as part of a matched devotional pair alongside a Notre-Dame des Graces (Our Lady of Graces) light-up grotto, this piece exemplifies the rich tradition of Breton maritime folk art and Catholic pilgrimage keepsakes.

Iconography & Sacred Symbolism:

Every shell in this devotional composition was deliberately selected by the artisan to convey Christian theology through the natural treasures of the Atlantic coast.

- The Rugged Ascent of Calvary:

The heavy, sculptural base is constructed from hard, sharp, spiny murex shells. Their jagged, unforgiving texture was purposefully chosen to symbolize the harsh, painful climb up Mount Calvary (Golgotha), grounding the cross in the physical reality of Christ's Passion.

- The Four Gospels & Baptism:

Four large, sun-blushed Saint-Jacques scallop shells (Coquilles Saint-Jacques) radiate from the center to form the arms of the cross. In Christian iconography, these represent the Four Evangelists (Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John) carrying the Gospel to the four corners of the world, while simultaneously serving as the universal emblem of Baptism, spiritual rebirth, and pilgrimage.

- The Pearl of Great Price:

Intricate rows of acid-washed, iridescent periwinkle shells line the entire perimeter of the wooden cross, catching the light like natural pearls - a visual reference to the biblical "Pearl of Great Price" (Matthew 13:45-46) and the eternal beauty of the Kingdom of Heaven.

- The Lower Section & Marian Devotion:

Descending below the corpus are twin purple-rayed sunset bivalves arranged like butterfly wings around a central, iridescent green shell bead (evoking the Sacred Heart and celestial grace), anchored by a slender auger/turret shell and flanked by two smooth conch-style strombus shells - symbolizing the trumpet call of resurrection and divine protection for mariners at sea.

- The Corpus:

Mounted at the intersection is a finely detailed, ivory-toned molded celluloid/early plastic figure of Christ, characteristic of post-war French devotional workshops supplying Brittany and Lourdes.

Construction & Condition:

- Craftsmanship:

Built upon a sturdy, hand-cut wooden Latin cross finished in its original warm ochre-cream oil paint (visible on the reverse), assembled entirely by hand in a Breton coastal workshop.

- Condition:

Outstanding, collector-grade vintage condition for a fragile shellwork piece of this age. All primary shells, delicate edge trimmings, and the central corpus remain firmly intact with an honest, warm 70-year patina and no structural losses.

Dimensions:

- Height: 24.5 cm (9.6 inches)

- Width (across arms): 15.5 cm (6.1 inches)

- Base Width: 12.5 cm (4.9 inches)

A rare, deeply symbolic piece of 1950s Breton religious folk art - ideal for a collector of sacred antiques, French maritime curiosities, or a traditional home prayer altar.

Bundle Offer:

I also have the matching 1950s French Our Lady of Graces light-up grotto listed for sale in another advert on my page (alongside other vintage items). If you purchase both pieces together as a pair, I will gladly apply a 20% discount off the combined total!

Payment & Collection / Delivery:

- Asking 65 Euro (open to reasonable offers).

- Payment accepted via Revolut, PayPal (Friends & Family or buyer covers fees), or cash on collection.

- Local collection welcome, or can be professionally double-boxed and cushioned for tracked/insured An Post delivery at buyer's expense.

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