Processional cross (1360) - At the town of Lianciano, on the borders of the Adriatic Sea, is still preservd this beautiful cross. It escaped the rapacity of the French, when they had possession of the town in the time of Napoleon, by the care of the monks, who built it up in a recess in the tower of the church to which it belongs; or it would doubtlessly have suffered the fate of so many other church ornaments which perished during that melancholy period. This cross stands about three feet high, independent of the stem, and is made of wood, plated all over with silver, embossed or chased and gilt. The figures are in very high relief, and silvered, to contrast more strongly with the gilt ground of the cross. Its date is about 1360. The stem of the cross is of brass gilt, and is much inferior to the cross itself in design and execution. It has more of the Venetian forms in its design, particularly in the niches and in the gables and foliage of the under part of it. This picture shows the front of the cross. The ornament at the head represents the Resurrection: the right arm represents the Virgin with the other two Maries; on the other side are three of the disciples as mourners; and at the foot is the representation of the disciples committing the body of Christ to the tomb. In the centre the body of the Saviour is extended on the cross. After the fall of Buonaparte, and the subsequent restoration of peace to Europe, this cross was taken from its hiding place, and it still continues to be carried in the ceremonious processions of the popish clergy.