Scenes from teh Passion of Christ
Panel
ca. 980-1000 (made)
ca. 980-1000 (made)
Artist/Maker | |
Place of origin |
The plaque was probably part of a book cover, perhaps a Gospel book, made probably in the Lower Rhine, in the late 10th century. The three scenes are packed with narrative detail. In the upper scene, showing the Crucifixion, the two soldiers can be seen: Longinus with his spear and Stephaton with a bucket and vinegar sponge.
Books which were kept in Carolingian and Ottonian treasuries were highly valued and had their contents glorified through the addition of decorative book covers. These could be adorned with expensive and highly worked materials: precious metals, jewels, semi-precious stones and often ivory. This ivory panel was probably a book cover. It has been punctured with three holes, presumably for attachment. It belongs to a group of ivories, probably from the same workshop, which include a panel in Essen and a casket in the Victoria and Albert Museum (216-1866). The lower part of the scene of the Maries at the sepulchre is almost identical to that on the casket, and that of the Harrowing of Hell is also very similar.
Books which were kept in Carolingian and Ottonian treasuries were highly valued and had their contents glorified through the addition of decorative book covers. These could be adorned with expensive and highly worked materials: precious metals, jewels, semi-precious stones and often ivory. This ivory panel was probably a book cover. It has been punctured with three holes, presumably for attachment. It belongs to a group of ivories, probably from the same workshop, which include a panel in Essen and a casket in the Victoria and Albert Museum (216-1866). The lower part of the scene of the Maries at the sepulchre is almost identical to that on the casket, and that of the Harrowing of Hell is also very similar.
Object details
Categories | |
Object type | |
Title | Scenes from teh Passion of Christ (generic title) |
Materials and techniques | Ivory |
Brief description | Panel, ivory, oblong, carved with scenes from The Passion, probably Lower Rheinisch, late 10th century |
Physical description | Oblong ivory panel carved with scenes from The Passion in three registers. The top compartment cotains the Crucifixion with, to the left, the Virgin and Longinus; to the right, Saint John and Stephaton; at the very top the arms of the cross are personifications of the Sun and Moon, holding their attributes. In the central compartment are the Maries at the Sepulchre, with two angels seated at the entrance to the tomb and two sleeping soldiers to the right. In the bottom compartment the Harrowing of Hell, the Ascension and, on the right, Christ in Glory. The carving is considerably worn. |
Dimensions |
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Object history | From the Webb collection (£75), previously in the Essingh Collection, Cologne (sale 1865, no.849). The plaque was made in the same provincial workshop - probably in teh Lower Rhine area - as a casket in the V&A collection (Inv.no. 216-1866) and a comb in the Domschatzkammer in Essen. |
Historical context | Books which were kept in Carolingian and Ottonian treasuries were highly valued and had their contents glorified through the addition of decorative book covers. These could be adorned with expensive and highly worked materials: precious metals, jewels, semi-precious stones and often ivory. This ivory panel was probably a book cover. It has been punctured with three holes, presumably for attachment. It belongs to a group of ivories, probably from the same workshop, which include a panel in Essen and a casket in the Victoria and Albert Museum (216-1866). The lower part of the scene of the Maries at the sepulchre is almost identical to that on the casket, and that of the Harrowing of Hell is also very similar. . |
Production | Possibly made in Halberstadt or Quedlinburg |
Subjects depicted | |
Summary | The plaque was probably part of a book cover, perhaps a Gospel book, made probably in the Lower Rhine, in the late 10th century. The three scenes are packed with narrative detail. In the upper scene, showing the Crucifixion, the two soldiers can be seen: Longinus with his spear and Stephaton with a bucket and vinegar sponge. Books which were kept in Carolingian and Ottonian treasuries were highly valued and had their contents glorified through the addition of decorative book covers. These could be adorned with expensive and highly worked materials: precious metals, jewels, semi-precious stones and often ivory. This ivory panel was probably a book cover. It has been punctured with three holes, presumably for attachment. It belongs to a group of ivories, probably from the same workshop, which include a panel in Essen and a casket in the Victoria and Albert Museum (216-1866). The lower part of the scene of the Maries at the sepulchre is almost identical to that on the casket, and that of the Harrowing of Hell is also very similar. |
Bibliographic references |
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Collection | |
Accession number | 1-1872 |
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Record created | December 14, 2006 |
Record URL |
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