Panel
11th century (made)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
Carved ivory panel depicting the Visitation and the Presentation in the Temple in two compartments; on the other side a floriated cross. It has been suggested that it served as an amulett to be rubbed by barren women.
The purpose of this plaque is difficult to trace, as there no traces of mounts, holes or hinges. There can be no doubt that the unusual and very localised wear, which has reduced the body of the Child Christ and the heads of the Virgin and Elisabeth in the Visitation to almost formless shape, is the result of continuous rubbing or kissing over a long period of time, so it is highly likely that the plaque was either mounted as an enkolpium or was loose, to be held i the hand.
The purpose of this plaque is difficult to trace, as there no traces of mounts, holes or hinges. There can be no doubt that the unusual and very localised wear, which has reduced the body of the Child Christ and the heads of the Virgin and Elisabeth in the Visitation to almost formless shape, is the result of continuous rubbing or kissing over a long period of time, so it is highly likely that the plaque was either mounted as an enkolpium or was loose, to be held i the hand.
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Materials and techniques | Carved ivory |
| Brief description | Panel, carved ivory, depicting the Presentation in the Temple, Byzantine, 11th century |
| Physical description | Carved ivory panel depicting the Visitation and the Presentation in the Temple in two compartments; on the other side a floriated cross. The Visitation with Elisabeth embracing the Virgin, and the Presentation in the Temple, with the Virgin presenting the Infant Christ to Simeon, and Joseph and the prophetess Anna standing behind them. There are faint traces of a later inscription in ink above the scene of the Presentation. On the back is a tall cross with rosettes at the ends of the arms and two flowering acanthus shoots growing from it at the bottom. |
| Dimensions |
|
| Style | |
| Object history | Purchased from J. and M.L. Tregaskis, London, in 1899. |
| Historical context | The purpose of this plaque is difficult to trace, as there no traces of mounts, holes or hinges. There can be no doubt that the unusual and very localised wear, which has reduced the body of the Child Christ and the heads of the Virgin and Elisabeth in the Visitation to almost formless shape, is the result of continuous rubbing or kissing over a long period of time, so it is highly likely that the plaque was either mounted as an enkolpium or was loose, to be held i the hand. |
| Subjects depicted | |
| Summary | Carved ivory panel depicting the Visitation and the Presentation in the Temple in two compartments; on the other side a floriated cross. It has been suggested that it served as an amulett to be rubbed by barren women. The purpose of this plaque is difficult to trace, as there no traces of mounts, holes or hinges. There can be no doubt that the unusual and very localised wear, which has reduced the body of the Child Christ and the heads of the Virgin and Elisabeth in the Visitation to almost formless shape, is the result of continuous rubbing or kissing over a long period of time, so it is highly likely that the plaque was either mounted as an enkolpium or was loose, to be held i the hand. |
| Bibliographic references |
|
| Collection | |
| Accession number | 1985-1899 |
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 | October 26, 2004 |
| Record URL |
Download as: JSONIIIF Manifest
