RELIEF OF THE DESCENT FROM THE CROSS

SUPPORT AND ELABORATION 

Relief carved mainly from a block of wood to which different-sized pieces, some of which are quite large (the wooden beams forming the Cross, the upper section of the ladder, arms of Nicodemus and Christ, the legs of Christ, etc.) were added to give more volume. Most of the double rabbet butt joints were reinforced with chevrons and iron studs. Several slivers of wood were used to fill a crack and early splits in Christ's wooden legs.

Marks of different tools such as saws, gouges, adzes and planes may be seen on the back and lower part of the relief. Some of these marks were left behind when the relief was adjusted to fit into its original compartment. To the back of the ladder, we can see marks left by the drill that was used to remove the wood between the rungs.