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Crucifixion and Symbols
Date Added: 01 October 2005
This is an incredible model of the crucifixion scene in a bottle. The artist is a man from the Bavarian forest, a forest area in East Bavaria, Germany. Everything is manufactured in complex manual work by the artist personally, who sells them for extra money. Everything in the bottle is carved in natural wood. The cross sits on an ornately carved base with cuts resembling stacked diamonds. The cross has carved bordered outlining the cross pieces and the ends are carved in a hip roof style. Jesus is wonderfully carved with his arms extended and even the hands showing. His head is very realistically carved and falls forward toward the ground. The facial features are excellent and you can see the crown of thorns on his head. The body even shows his ribs and chest cavity. He is wrapped in a very well carved cloth around his waist. His knees are bended and his feet rest on a foot rest extending from the cross. Toward the top of the cross is a wooden "scrolled" INRI. On the cross member are three dice on one side and a chalice and host on the other with IHS drawn on it. In the center where the cross timber joins is a rope carved in wood. On each side are Flails showing the handle and the separate ropes. Leaning against the cross is a spear to one side and a sponge on a long pole on the other. Against these pieces are a shovel on one side and a pick on the other. The base is also in the shape of a cross and is carved to match the curve of the bottle. On one section of the base are a lantern, sword, and small pole with carving spaced evenly up and down the pole. On another section is a carved whipping post with a rope wrapped around from top to bottom. Next to that is a square wooden box with three nails on top. On the other side are an urn with handle and a pedestal with a very detailed and well carved rooster. On the reverse side of the cross is a clock showing 3:00 in the center of the cross. At the top of the cross is a scull with cross bones. Toward the bottom of the cross is a very detailed full robe showing the collar, cuffs, and folds of the "cloth." On one side of the cross member is pliers and on the other a mallet. A ladder with 8 rungs leans against the cross. The cross is held in position by the wooden stopper which extends to the top of the cross. The end of the stopper inside the bottle has a very ornate carved ball with zigzags carved around the center. The wooden stopper has a large "tamper proof" cross piece making it impossible to get the stopper out without damage. Above that are black letters "JP" perhaps the initials of the maker. The top of the stopper on the outside of the bottle is a large carved ball with the same pattern found on the other end. On the bottom of the bottle are raised numbers 71, 5 and 0,7L. There is also a sticker with the following: Jellbauer Joh Polzoo 6 8396 Wegscheid. Perhaps this is the name of the JP drawn on the cross?
Type: Crucifixion Scene   Maker's Name: Jellbauer, Jon
Category: Religious   Made Where: Wegscheid, Germany
Bottle Size: 7" x 4"   Year Made: 1980 - 1990
Bottle Type: Unidentified