Virgin and Child, the Coronation of the Virgin and scenes from the Nativity
Triptych
ca. 1300 (made)
ca. 1300 (made)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
This is an ivory triptych, made in France, probably Paris, in about 1300. The triptych was formerly attributed to 'di Andrea di Cione Orcagna'. But there is nothing here to suggest it is an Italian work. The closest parallels in ivory are with the carvings associated with the so-called 'diptyque du Christ-Juge' in the Musée du Louvre, while the figures of the Virgin and angels on the central panel can be related to Parisian and Île-de-France stone sculpture of around 1300, such as the celebrated Poissy angels.
The Gothic Triptych was to all intents and purposes a sub-branch of the tabernacle polyptych, with a shallower central panel and two, rather than four, hinged wings. The subject matter was the same, dominated by single images of the standing Virgin and Child and scenes from the infancy of Christ. Triptychs – like diptychs – are better suited to the needs of a travelling clientele, who would wish to take these small portable altars with them as aids to prayer. Some of them were intended to be carried in cases, usually of cuir bouilli (boiled leather).
The Gothic Triptych was to all intents and purposes a sub-branch of the tabernacle polyptych, with a shallower central panel and two, rather than four, hinged wings. The subject matter was the same, dominated by single images of the standing Virgin and Child and scenes from the infancy of Christ. Triptychs – like diptychs – are better suited to the needs of a travelling clientele, who would wish to take these small portable altars with them as aids to prayer. Some of them were intended to be carried in cases, usually of cuir bouilli (boiled leather).
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Title | Virgin and Child, the Coronation of the Virgin and scenes from the Nativity (generic title) |
| Materials and techniques | Carved elphant ivory, stained with cut highlights and formerly pigmented |
| Brief description | Triptych, carved ivory, depicting the Virgin and Child, the Coronation of the Virgin and scenes from the Nativity, France (probably Paris), about 1300 |
| Physical description | Carved ivory triptych. The centre is divided into two compartments each with trefoil arches. In the upper register the Coronation of the Virgin, in the lower the Virgin crowned by an angel stands holding the Child between attendant angels bearing candlesticks. In the spandrels are trilobed openings and the lower crocketed gable is flanked by a pinnacle at each side. On the wings at the top are two are two further candle bearing angels in attendance a the Coronation, the Annunciation and Nativity in the middle register and the Three Magi and the Presentation in the Temple at the bottom. In the upper angles of the wings are angels holding candlesticks. The ivory has been stained a purplish brown cut away to show the original white in a dotted pattern on the ground and edges of the draperies, with traces of colour. The points of the centre panel and upper wings are truncated. |
| Dimensions |
|
| Object history | In the possession of Ottavio Gigli, Florence, in 1858; purchased as part of the Gigli-Camapana collection in 1861 for £50. |
| Historical context | The tryptich was formerly erroneously ascribed to Orcagna. The arrangement of the subjects on this triptych, together with 240-1867 and A.556-1910, is similar to that of the tabernacles, though the central panel has no projecting canopies. |
| Subjects depicted | |
| Summary | This is an ivory triptych, made in France, probably Paris, in about 1300. The triptych was formerly attributed to 'di Andrea di Cione Orcagna'. But there is nothing here to suggest it is an Italian work. The closest parallels in ivory are with the carvings associated with the so-called 'diptyque du Christ-Juge' in the Musée du Louvre, while the figures of the Virgin and angels on the central panel can be related to Parisian and Île-de-France stone sculpture of around 1300, such as the celebrated Poissy angels. The Gothic Triptych was to all intents and purposes a sub-branch of the tabernacle polyptych, with a shallower central panel and two, rather than four, hinged wings. The subject matter was the same, dominated by single images of the standing Virgin and Child and scenes from the infancy of Christ. Triptychs – like diptychs – are better suited to the needs of a travelling clientele, who would wish to take these small portable altars with them as aids to prayer. Some of them were intended to be carried in cases, usually of cuir bouilli (boiled leather). |
| Bibliographic references |
|
| Collection | |
| Accession number | 7592-1861 |
About this object record
Explore the Collections contains over a million catalogue records, and over half a million images. It is a working database that includes information compiled over the life of the museum. Some of our records may contain offensive and discriminatory language, or reflect outdated ideas, practice and analysis. We are committed to addressing these issues, and to review and update our records accordingly.
You can write to us to suggest improvements to the record.
Suggest feedback
You can write to us to suggest improvements to the record.
Suggest feedback
| Record created | September 2, 2004 |
| Record URL |
Download as: JSONIIIF Manifest
