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10. Stone cross with brass pedestal outside the church at Kuravilangad
Date unknown: circa 1599, but possibly based on pre-Portuguese models
Kerala, India
Ricci 10 KP Ricci Inst 025
This cross may be considerably older than the present church building in the background, which is highly ornamented and brightly painted in the “Portuguese” style of Syrian churches in Kerala.
The interiors of St. Thomas churches in Kerala are richly decorated and highly ornate, particularly the sanctuary which is several steps higher and taller than the nave. The origin of the stepped-sanctuary may reflect an earlier tradition in which the sanctuary was built like an open stage with the congregation assembled outside or under a temporary awning. As there were no pews, worshippers followed the Indian custom of sitting on the floor, which was remarked upon by the Byzantine historian Philostorgius in the 5th century, and is still in place today. |
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