Striking 23 Inch Crown of Thorns with Amazing Craquelure Surface silk doll and a very lovely thing

and a very lovely thing

Beautiful condition

But the crossing of the two blooms and intertwining of their delicately painted stems and leaves also makes it feel like a love token--a happy wedding of two two different sorts

and acknowledge the marvelousness of

Striking 23 Inch Crown of Thorns with Amazing Craquelure Surface silk doll and a very lovely thingHoly moly. View detail photos for a sense of the amazing surface on this old tramp art "crown of thorns" cross, which stands just shy of 23 inches tall. Up close it reads as if painted a dark red with this black, almost tar layer over top, which enhances its gothic feel. At the same time, the form, constructed of interlocking, individually carved pieces (no glue), is to my eye quite an elegant one, striking and almost spare. Beautifully executed, late