Scenes from the Life of Christ
Panel
ca. 1875-90 (made)
ca. 1875-90 (made)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
This panel relief was executed in the middle of the 19th century or earlier as an imitation of a 15th century Gothic work.
The production of ivories in historicizing styles in the 19th century flourished in a number of centres, including Cologne, Milan, Toulouse and Cordoba. Although not always made to deceive, unscrupulous dealers often sold them as genuine objects to their clients.
The putative function of the plaque is unresolved, there are no hinges so perhaps it was the intention of the carver that it should be seen as a plaque from a book cover. The iconographic model for the reliefs on the plaque, seem to have been a diptych of about 1370-80 in the Petit Palais in Paris, where all the scenes appear in virtually identical form.
The production of ivories in historicizing styles in the 19th century flourished in a number of centres, including Cologne, Milan, Toulouse and Cordoba. Although not always made to deceive, unscrupulous dealers often sold them as genuine objects to their clients.
The putative function of the plaque is unresolved, there are no hinges so perhaps it was the intention of the carver that it should be seen as a plaque from a book cover. The iconographic model for the reliefs on the plaque, seem to have been a diptych of about 1370-80 in the Petit Palais in Paris, where all the scenes appear in virtually identical form.
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Title | Scenes from the Life of Christ (generic title) |
| Materials and techniques | Elephant ivory |
| Brief description | Panel relief, ivory, scenes from the Life of Christ, of indeterminate origin (probably France or English), a 19th century imitation (ca. 1875-90) of a 15th century work |
| Physical description | Relief carved wtih scenes from the New Testament in seven circular and four rectangular sunk compartments, the borders of which are made up of a continuous tubular stem embellished in the four spaces surrounding the central roundel with stylized foliage. The compartments contain medallions, made separately and cemented into place, illustrating the Annunciation, a groom whipping the three horses of the magi, the Adoration of the Magi, the Crucifixion, Judas hanging himself with tow other unrelated figures (see below), the Betrayal of Christ, and St Peter cutting of the ear of Malchus. In the sunken spaces in the four corners are the Virgin between St John the Evangelist and St Peter (twice), the Nativity (but without the Christ Child) and the Resurrection. |
| Dimensions |
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| Object history | Formerly in the Gibson-Carmichael Collection, Bart, Castle Craig; sold at the Gibson-Carmichael sale, Christie, Manson & Woods, London, 13 May 1902, lot 140 ('probably English work, of the middle of the 14th century'; fore £38); then George Salting collection, London. Bequeathed to the V&A by Salting in 1910 (no. 2219). |
| Production | executed in the middle of 19th century as an imitation of a 15th century Gothic work |
| Subjects depicted | |
| Summary | This panel relief was executed in the middle of the 19th century or earlier as an imitation of a 15th century Gothic work. The production of ivories in historicizing styles in the 19th century flourished in a number of centres, including Cologne, Milan, Toulouse and Cordoba. Although not always made to deceive, unscrupulous dealers often sold them as genuine objects to their clients. The putative function of the plaque is unresolved, there are no hinges so perhaps it was the intention of the carver that it should be seen as a plaque from a book cover. The iconographic model for the reliefs on the plaque, seem to have been a diptych of about 1370-80 in the Petit Palais in Paris, where all the scenes appear in virtually identical form. |
| Bibliographic references |
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| Collection | |
| Accession number | A.573-1910 |
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| Record created | June 24, 2009 |
| Record URL |
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