Artwork

Pendant with Double Cross at Centre, Surrounded by Four Large Table-Stones

Pendant with Double Cross at Centre, Surrounded by Four Large Table-Stones is an ink print by the Renaissance artist Daniel Mignot. It dates from 1584 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.

About this work

Overview

Daniel Mignot’s 1584 engraving presents a decorative chandelier centered on a double cross. From the cross hang four substantial, square-shaped elements that function as candle holders, while surrounding arms curve outward, terminating in smaller lantern-like forms. The composition is rendered in fine black lines against a light ground, emphasizing the intricate metalwork typical of the period.

Subject & Meaning

The central double cross serves both structural and symbolic purposes, anchoring the chandelier’s design. The four larger square fixtures, often termed “table‑stones,” echo the Renaissance fascination with geometric order and the interplay of light and shadow, suggesting a balance between utility and ornamental display.

Technique & Style

Executed as an engraving, the image relies on incised lines to achieve crisp detail and tonal variation. Mignot’s hand demonstrates the period’s precision in printmaking, using cross‑hatching and varied line weight to convey the texture of metal and the glow of candlelight within the stylized forms.

History & Provenance

Created in 1584, the print belongs to a corpus of late‑sixteenth‑century French engravings that documented contemporary decorative arts. While specific ownership records are scarce, the work is attributed to Mignot, a known practitioner of detailed architectural and ornamental prints in the Renaissance.

Context

The design reflects the Renaissance enthusiasm for elaborate lighting fixtures, which combined functional illumination with artistic expression. Such chandeliers, often crafted in wrought iron or brass, were prized in aristocratic interiors, and engravings like Mignot’s circulated as visual references for craftsmen and patrons alike.