The Annunciation
Relief
late fifteenth century (made)
late fifteenth century (made)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
This (and its companion piece depicting the Adoration of the Magi) is an ivory group made in the late fifteenth century or possibly second quarter of the nineteenth century in France or South Netherlands. The present piece is carved in high relief depicting the Annunciation within a canopied niche.
The original context of the two pieces is not immediately apparent. Whatever their setting, they appear to derive their form from the supporting small narrative panels often seen on Netherlandish altarpieces in wood of the late fifteenth and early sixteenth centuries. Certain features, however, such as the form of the Virgin's reading desk, the closed book, the incorrect gesture of annunciation from the angel and the rough inscription on the scroll might indicate a nineteenth century date, perhaps in the years 1830-50.
The original context of the two pieces is not immediately apparent. Whatever their setting, they appear to derive their form from the supporting small narrative panels often seen on Netherlandish altarpieces in wood of the late fifteenth and early sixteenth centuries. Certain features, however, such as the form of the Virgin's reading desk, the closed book, the incorrect gesture of annunciation from the angel and the rough inscription on the scroll might indicate a nineteenth century date, perhaps in the years 1830-50.
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Title | The Annunciation (generic title) |
| Materials and techniques | Carved elephant ivory |
| Brief description | Relief, carved ivory group, depicting the Annunciation, French or South Netherlandish, late fifteenth or possibly second quarter of the nineteenth century |
| Physical description | Ivory group carved in high relief depicting the Annunciation within a canopied niche. The scene takes place within a slender niche framed by spiral columns and topped with a domed canopy; below is a terminal boss of six petals. The Virgin, resting her right hand on a closed book, turns to look over her shoulder at the standing angel, who holds a staff in his left hand, while the Dove of the Holy Spirit descends from above; th scroll above the angel is roughly incised with an indistinct inscription (MARIA(?)). |
| Dimensions |
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| Object history | In the possession of John Webb, London, by 1862 (London 1862, cat. nos. 156); purchased from Webb in 1867, for £20, for both 282 and 283-1867. |
| Subjects depicted | |
| Summary | This (and its companion piece depicting the Adoration of the Magi) is an ivory group made in the late fifteenth century or possibly second quarter of the nineteenth century in France or South Netherlands. The present piece is carved in high relief depicting the Annunciation within a canopied niche. The original context of the two pieces is not immediately apparent. Whatever their setting, they appear to derive their form from the supporting small narrative panels often seen on Netherlandish altarpieces in wood of the late fifteenth and early sixteenth centuries. Certain features, however, such as the form of the Virgin's reading desk, the closed book, the incorrect gesture of annunciation from the angel and the rough inscription on the scroll might indicate a nineteenth century date, perhaps in the years 1830-50. |
| Associated object | 283-1867 (Ensemble) |
| Bibliographic references |
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| Collection | |
| Accession number | 282-1867 |
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| Record created | October 18, 2004 |
| Record URL |
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