San Damiano Cross Replica Value Guide

This mid-century San Damiano Cross replica is a significant devotional piece, capturing the 12th-century Umbrian iconography famously associated with Saint Francis of Assisi. Crafted in Italy between 1950 and 1970, these replicas are sought after for their detailed depictions of Christ and surrounding saints on a traditional gesso-over-wood base.

What Is San Damiano Cross Replica Worth?

The typical price range for San Damiano Cross Replica is $75 - $95 based on recent sales. However, values can vary depending on the item's condition, rarity, and other factors such as:

• Condition of the gesso and paint, as chipping or flaking significantly impacts the $75-$95 price range.
• The presence of original hanging hardware or manufacturer labels from Italian workshops.
• Overall size and the level of detail preserved in the facial features of the secondary saints.
• Authenticity of materials, specifically the use of traditional wood and paint versus later resin reproductions.

How to Identify San Damiano Cross Replica?

• Check for a 'Made in Italy' stamp or sticker on the reverse side, typical of mid-century exports.
• Examine the surface for a layered gesso application over a solid wood substrate rather than modern plastic.
• Look for the specific Syrian-style iconographic details, including the presence of the Major and Minor figures surrounding the central Christ.
• Identify the characteristic 1950-1970s paint patina which often shows slight crazing or mellowing of the gold and red pigments.

History of San Damiano Cross Replica

The original San Damiano Cross is a large medieval crucifix that Saint Francis of Assisi was praying before when he reportedly received the commission from Christ to rebuild the Church. It is an Umbrian cross from the 12th century, painted by an unknown Syrian iconographer. Replicas, like this one, are popular devotional items.