Cross Pendant by Jan de Jong for Sint-Willibrorduskerk, Almelo, 1964

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This solid wenge wooden cross was designed by Jan de Jong in 1964 for the Sint-Willibrorduskerk in Almelo and represents … Read more This solid wenge wooden cross was designed by Jan de Jong in 1964 for the Sint-Willibrorduskerk in Almelo and represents one of the most quietly powerful expressions of sacred design within the Bossche School movement. Unlike mass-produced ecclesiastical objects, this cross was conceived as a unique element of the church interior, carefully proportioned to harmonize with the building’s architectural rhythm. Its simple form and precise geometry are characteristic of the Bossche School’s search for spiritual clarity through proportion and material honesty. Made from wenge wood, a dense tropical hardwood with a deep, warm tone, the pendant has aged beautifully. The subtle grain of the wood, combined with its elongated, slightly tapered arms, gives it an understated sculptural presence. Suspended from the ceiling on natural fiber cords, the cross was positioned to define the altar’s spatial focus without relying on ornamentation. Its quiet authority lay in its form, scale, and material rather than in any symbolic excess.

The cross originates from the Sint-Willibrordus church in Almelo designed by Jan de Jong, one of the central figures of the Bossche School. As a close collaborator and student of Dom Hans van der Laan, De Jong extended van der Laan’s architectural principles into both structure and object. The Sint-Willibrorduskerk was a complete spatial composition, where even the liturgical elements were designed with the same proportional system. This cross is a rare surviving piece from that interior. The church closed in 2003 and was demolished in 2005, leaving behind very few original elements. Its presence today embodies the Bossche School’s synthesis of architecture, liturgy, and craftsmanship, where every object was integral to the whole. In very good condition. Provenance; Sint-Willibrordus church, Almelo 1964. This piece is attributed to the mentioned designer/maker. It has no attribution mark and no
official proof of authenticity,
however it is well documented in design history. I take full responsibility for any authenticity



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