Altar cross (table cross)

Description of work

This altar cross, or table cross, was commissioned by Caton baptist church who wanted a cross to give to a local primary school. It is a large piece, the cross standing at 18 inches tall , on top of a 9 inch diameter base.

The main timber used is elm, with the addition of cups for the tea-lights in ash for contrast, and black bosses in the centre and at the ends of the cross turned in ebony. The inscription on the front is pyrographed, and says "The Lord is my Light and my Salvation", from Psalms 27 v.1

The price range reflects potential variations in size, requirements for inscriptions, and possible choices of timber. The piece would look good in oak as well. An alternative finish is shown below - in fact the one that the customer opted for - with a plainer centre and ends to the cross, replacing the ebony bosses with plainer elm versions.

The piece is finished with three coats of wax - tripoli, white diamond and carnauba - and buffed to a high sheen. An alternative finish would be oil and beeswax, which would give more of a matt finish.

Further details and related work