Christ Blessing the Apostles
Relief
probably middle 19th century (made)
probably middle 19th century (made)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
This ivory relief representing Christ blessing the Apostles was probably made in the middle of the 19th century.
Copied from the Carolingian relief of the late 10th century on the lid of a casket in the Treasury of the Abbey Church at Quedlinburg. This is the so-called Reliquary of Henry I.
Although the ornament of the border and the architectural setting have been faithfully reproduced, the facial types of Christ and the disciples clearly betray the relief as the work of a 19th century copyist. In addition Christ's halo has been inadvertently omitted. It is possible that the copyist was working from a plaster cast, examples of which were available before 1865, rather that the original ivory.
Copied from the Carolingian relief of the late 10th century on the lid of a casket in the Treasury of the Abbey Church at Quedlinburg. This is the so-called Reliquary of Henry I.
Although the ornament of the border and the architectural setting have been faithfully reproduced, the facial types of Christ and the disciples clearly betray the relief as the work of a 19th century copyist. In addition Christ's halo has been inadvertently omitted. It is possible that the copyist was working from a plaster cast, examples of which were available before 1865, rather that the original ivory.
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Title | Christ Blessing the Apostles (generic title) |
| Materials and techniques | Carved elephant ivory, mounted in a gilt-copper frame |
| Brief description | Relief, carved elephant ivory, depicting Christ Blessing the Apostles, a forgery of a late 10th century ivory relief in the Quedlinburg Cathedral treasury, Germany, probably copied mid 19th century |
| Physical description | Carved ivory relief in a metal frame, depicting Christ blessing the Apostles, standing on a stepped podium before canopied structure. The plaque is in good condition. |
| Dimensions |
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| Credit line | Given by Romolo Piazzani Esq. |
| Object history | Given with Inv. No. L.1797-1922 by Romolo Piazzani, London. Copied from the Carolingian relief of the late 10th century on the lid of a casket in the Treasury of the Abbey Church at Quedlinburg. This is the so-called Reliquary of Henry I. At acquisition the plaque was mounted on a leather binding of probably South German, early 17th century workmanship. There is the possibility that the book originally belonged to a library in the vicinity of Quedlinburg, which would explain the choice of the subject. Historical significance: Although the ornament of the border and the architectural setting have been faithfully reproduced, the facial types of Christ and the disciples clearly betray the relief as the work of a 19th century copyist. In addition Christ's halo has been inadvertently omitted. It is possible that the copyist was working from a plaster cast, examples of which were available before 1865, rather that the original ivory. |
| Subjects depicted | |
| Summary | This ivory relief representing Christ blessing the Apostles was probably made in the middle of the 19th century. Copied from the Carolingian relief of the late 10th century on the lid of a casket in the Treasury of the Abbey Church at Quedlinburg. This is the so-called Reliquary of Henry I. Although the ornament of the border and the architectural setting have been faithfully reproduced, the facial types of Christ and the disciples clearly betray the relief as the work of a 19th century copyist. In addition Christ's halo has been inadvertently omitted. It is possible that the copyist was working from a plaster cast, examples of which were available before 1865, rather that the original ivory. |
| Bibliographic references |
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| Collection | |
| Accession number | A.135-1922 |
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| Record created | October 25, 2004 |
| Record URL |
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