Circa 1950s Art Deco style bronze circular plaques depicting scenes from the day of Jesus Christ’s crucifixion by René Gourdon (1910-1992), renowned French sculptor and artist.  Eleven plaques show his initials, RG, one shows his full name R. Gourdan and one doesn’t have either. Each plaque cast in bronze depicts one of the 14 stations (one is unfortunately missing) of the Cross illustrating Christ’s suffering with many small details and descriptions in French. The plaques are supported on a small oak wooden cross which have a small hook on the back to allow them to be hung and displayed on a wall.  The plaques are numbered using Roman numerals written on the back in crayon.  I was told at the time I bought them from another dealer that they were sourced from a decommissioned church in Lyon but I cannot confirm whether this is in fact true.

Cross Dimensions: Depth: 2.5cm Width: 24cm Height: 24cm

Bronze Plaque Dimensions:  Diameter: 15cm Depth: 1.5cm

I – TU M’AS LIVRE – “You delivered me” – Full signature

II – PRENDS AUSSI TA CROIX – “Take your cross too”

III – SUR LUI NOS PECHES – “On him our sins”

IV – MERE VOICI TON FILS – “Mother here is your Son”

V – J’AI CHERCHE DU SECOURS – “I sought help”

VI – ILS ONT SOUILLEMON VISAGE – “They defiled my face”

VII – JEME SUIS HUMILIE – “I am Humiliated”

VIII – NEPLEUREZ PAS SUR MOI – “Don’t Cry At Me”

IX – SOUS LE POIDS DE HOSFAUTES – “Under he weight of your failings”

X – PERE VOTRE VOLONTE – “Father your will”

XI – ILS ONT PERCE MES MAINS ET MES PIEDS – “They pierced my hands and my feet”

XII – PERE PARDONNEZ LEUR – “Father Forgive Them”

XIII – Missing

XIV – MENSEVELIR AVEC LUI – “Lie With Him”