Country Group: China, Japan and Korea

Item id: 7998

Very rare 16/17thC Japanese Iron Cross with Buddha. I've owned several of these over 25 years, and seen one other at auction. Most seem to made of iron, and a few of bronze. The quality does not seem to differ between the different materials used. I have not seen any others on the market for several years now, and am putting up one of my last two as I finally begin to downsize as I near retirement. I've been told they were used by early Japanese Christians, as they were persecuted by the Shoguns, and wanted to show that they still respected the Buddha. 9.75" tall, 7.75" wide, approximately .5" at deepest point.