Presentation of Crosses - Seeking Advice

[RangerJay Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close RangerJay]

We've got an interesting discussion going on in the family on how best to present a finished Cross. I've been a fan of Cross and backing - my wife is a fan of the Cross and Christ figure alone - no backing.

So .....

I've played with the choices and made up some finished pieces to show the difference and am looking for a critique with some thoughts on what has worked for you in the past.

These Crosses and the Christ figure are patterns from Wildwood. The wood is walnut and elm. Finish is Danish oil then polyurethane then wax applied with 0000 wool.

Thanks - and really looking foward to your advice.


Jay

[wood-n-things Grandpa making Sawdust Find all posts View Profile Close wood-n-things]

I firmly believe it is a matter of personal choice. I like all the views you have presented, the framed piece looks to me like it should be displayed in a formal setting (such as a chapel or rectory) where the others could be in a home. You've done a nice job on all of them.

[wedo Member - Level 2 Find all posts View Profile Close wedo]

I personally prefer the empty cross, it speaks to me better. I also really like the elm cross either alone or framed. All are very good and probably each person has their favorite.
Bill

[PatteM Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close PatteM]

I'd say personal preference, but I believe that Catholic churches display the crucifix (with the Christ figure) and most Protestant churches display only the cross -- so I'd continue to make both versions. Yours are all absolutely gorgeous!!!!!!!!!

[dottyblues Member - Level 2 Find all posts View Profile Close dottyblues]

I agree it's a matter of personal peference. Also where the cross might be hung may influence the need for a backer or not. I like all of them but I'm more partial to 1 and 2. I think they stand out more.

Overall, I think they are all wonderful and your gift will be fully appreciated by the receipent. You've inspired me to do one and I just may make one for my mother on her birthday. Good thing I still have a few months to do it.

[Fretnot Member - Level 2 Find all posts View Profile Close Fretnot]

Wonderful work. I make several crosses but i would not make one with the figure of Christ on. Its a personal thing as i am a Christian and Christ has risen and no longer on the cross.

[Bill Wilson Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Bill Wilson]

Very nice crosses.

Like others, I personally prefer the empty cross, myself. It is a matter of ecclesiastic significance to some, so if these aren't meant solely for your personal use (in other words, being made for sale or gifts), then it's important to be sensitive to and understand the religious beliefs of the recipient.

As for backer vs no backer, I find myself leaning more toward a backer for these particular crosses, although I can't necessarily give any objective reasons why. To my eye, it helps set them off. YMMV.

[cpowell Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close cpowell]

These are beautiful and to me it depends on the setting. The backer seems much more formal while the backerless seems more informal. I prefer the backerless personally but then I'm an informal kind of guy. Backered I can see in a church, chapel, office or even a formal dining room. It depends on the setting the customer/client/recipient wants. Thankfully before you make a decision to glue them down they are interchangeable.

[RangerJay Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close RangerJay]

This has been really helpful - and I've got my answer - and that answer would be - one size does not fit all and that everyones preference is individual. With that in mind I think I'll make a glued up version of each choice - and then respond to what goes (presuming any of them go at all!).

Thanks for not just the advice but also the kind words and enouragement from each of you - it is more than appreciated.


Jay

[markdavd Mark Davidson Find all posts View Profile Close markdavd]

Beautiful work.

One more idea for a backer is to cut it the exact same as the outline of the cross. You would see it through the frets, but without any excess around the outside.

[bubbantenn Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close bubbantenn]

Beautiful work, no matter how it's presented. Besides, it isn't the presentation that really matters, it's the way it's received. You give from the heart, allowing yourself to be led by the Spirit, and let God do the rest.

Bubba

[Spirithorse Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Spirithorse]

Beautifuol work! They are all exceptional.
God Bless! Spirithorse

[Powakee Part Time Cutter Find all posts View Profile Close Powakee]

While I am known to give my opinion freely ~ & it usually does not matter whether it is solicited or unsolicited ~ I think I could best judge the difference if they were hanging on my walls for a . . . . (oh, let's say) about 4 or 5 months. Unfortunately, I have to echo the others and say that they ALL look beautiful but ~ on the fly ~ I'd have to say the ones in the frame look best; then the one on a backing w/o a frame then the ones with no backing and no frame. But, as I say, that's only my initial impression. Overall, send me a PM and I'll send you my address and I'll let you know fully by about Thanksgiving. Sound like a plan? :~}

John

[RangerJay Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close RangerJay]

While I am known to give my opinion freely ~ & it usually does not matter whether it is solicited or unsolicited ~ I think I could best judge the difference if they were hanging on my walls for a . . . . (oh, let's say) about 4 or 5 months ..... send me a PM and I'll send you my address and I'll let you know fully by about Thanksgiving. Sound like a plan? :~}

John

LOL ...... darn it ..... those dang International Trade Rules ...... what can I say ......




Jay

[Rolf The WoodMeister Find all posts View Profile Close Rolf]

First, your work is beautiful.!! I have always prefered a backer of a contrasting color, That way you can hang the cross on any color wall and it will still stand out.
More like the backer that you have that follows the shape of the cross.
But as most have said it is all a matter of taste.