The Nativity and the Annunciation of the Shepherds
Panel
ca. 1300 (made)
ca. 1300 (made)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
This is an ivory leaf of a polyptych, made in Paris in France, in about 1300.
Ivory plaques such as these were normally arranged in diptychs, triptychs or polyptychs. Diptychs consisted of two tablets hinged together, while triptychs were two tablets hinged on either side of a central tablet. The smaller ones were probably held in the hand and opened like a small book, while the larger ones would have stood open on a table or altar.
Polyptychs survive in far smaller numbers, and were probably never as popular as diptychs. In order to allow them to be folded up, the hinges usually alternated between the front and the back of the leaves, enabling them to be closed concertina-fashion. There was no standard form, but the larger polyptychs were sometimes gabled.
The present piece is a beautiful and accomplished leaf that forms part of an important small group (4) consisting of leaves of identical size and layout. The four leaves probably originally belonged to two or more folding polyptychs, similar to the one which survives in complete form in the V&A's collection (V&A-Mus. no. 237-1867), and all were clearly produced in the same workshop.
Ivory plaques such as these were normally arranged in diptychs, triptychs or polyptychs. Diptychs consisted of two tablets hinged together, while triptychs were two tablets hinged on either side of a central tablet. The smaller ones were probably held in the hand and opened like a small book, while the larger ones would have stood open on a table or altar.
Polyptychs survive in far smaller numbers, and were probably never as popular as diptychs. In order to allow them to be folded up, the hinges usually alternated between the front and the back of the leaves, enabling them to be closed concertina-fashion. There was no standard form, but the larger polyptychs were sometimes gabled.
The present piece is a beautiful and accomplished leaf that forms part of an important small group (4) consisting of leaves of identical size and layout. The four leaves probably originally belonged to two or more folding polyptychs, similar to the one which survives in complete form in the V&A's collection (V&A-Mus. no. 237-1867), and all were clearly produced in the same workshop.
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Title | The Nativity and the Annunciation of the Shepherds (generic title) |
| Materials and techniques | Carved elephant ivory |
| Brief description | Polyptych leaf, carved ivory, depicting the Nativity, France (Paris), ca. 1300 |
| Physical description | Carved ivory panel from a triptych depicting the Nativity and the Annunciation to the Shepherds. In the background two angels announce the birth to the shepherds. Above is a trefoil arch surmounted by a gable. The tympanum bears a single rose flower at the centre, and the gable is surmounted by foliate crockets. In the foreground, the Virgin lies on a bed, propped on a pillow and reaching down to the Christ-Child, who lies in a rectangular manger. The ox and ass are shown below, with the latter appearing to blow on the Child's foot. Joseph sits at the foot of the bed, gesturing with his right hand towards the Virgin and the Child. In the background is a hilly landscape with sheep; two diminutive angels with scrolls speak to three shepherds. The shepherd in the centre holds a set of bagpipes and points towards the Nativity scene. |
| Dimensions |
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| Object history | In the possession of John Webb, London, by 1862; purchased from Webb in 1867, for £30. |
| Subjects depicted | |
| Summary | This is an ivory leaf of a polyptych, made in Paris in France, in about 1300. Ivory plaques such as these were normally arranged in diptychs, triptychs or polyptychs. Diptychs consisted of two tablets hinged together, while triptychs were two tablets hinged on either side of a central tablet. The smaller ones were probably held in the hand and opened like a small book, while the larger ones would have stood open on a table or altar. Polyptychs survive in far smaller numbers, and were probably never as popular as diptychs. In order to allow them to be folded up, the hinges usually alternated between the front and the back of the leaves, enabling them to be closed concertina-fashion. There was no standard form, but the larger polyptychs were sometimes gabled. The present piece is a beautiful and accomplished leaf that forms part of an important small group (4) consisting of leaves of identical size and layout. The four leaves probably originally belonged to two or more folding polyptychs, similar to the one which survives in complete form in the V&A's collection (V&A-Mus. no. 237-1867), and all were clearly produced in the same workshop. |
| Bibliographic references |
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| Collection | |
| Accession number | 242-1867 |
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| Record created | October 15, 2004 |
| Record URL |
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