The Virgin and Child from the Presentation in the Temple thumbnail 1
The Virgin and Child from the Presentation in the Temple thumbnail 2
Not currently on display at the V&A

The Virgin and Child from the Presentation in the Temple

Panel
first quarter 14th century (made)
Artist/Maker
Unknown
Place of origin
France (made)

This ivory panel depicting the Virgin and Child from the Presentation in the Temple was made in the first quarter of 14th century in France.
The scene of the Presentation in the Temple is commonplace on Gothic ivories, invariably appearing on triptychs and tabernacle polyptychs devoted to the Virgin and Child. However this example is larger than usual and can only have come from either a very large tabernacle with wings of wood or, more likely, a retable with scenes of the infancy of Christ.


Object details

Categories
Reliefs
Christianity
Religion
Object type
Panel
TitleThe Virgin and Child from the Presentation in the Temple (generic title)
Materials and techniques
Elephant ivory in relief
Ivory
Carving
Relief
Brief description
Panel relief, the Virgin and Child from the Presentation in the Temple, French, first quarter of the 14th century
Physical description
The Virgin, wearing a short veil and voluminous mantle bunched between her arms, is shown in the act of passing the Christ-Child to another figure, now missing, whose disembodied right hand is grasping the Child's waist. This must have been Simeon, and the complete scene was thus the Presentation in the Temple. The Christ-Child looks towards Simeon but keeps his right arm firmly round the Virgin's neck.
Dimensions
  • Height: 13.5cm
  • At base width: 5.2cm
Subject depicted
Virgin and Child
Literary referenceThe Presentation in the Temple
Summary
This ivory panel depicting the Virgin and Child from the Presentation in the Temple was made in the first quarter of 14th century in France.
The scene of the Presentation in the Temple is commonplace on Gothic ivories, invariably appearing on triptychs and tabernacle polyptychs devoted to the Virgin and Child. However this example is larger than usual and can only have come from either a very large tabernacle with wings of wood or, more likely, a retable with scenes of the infancy of Christ.
Bibliographic references
  • Randall, R. H. et al. Masterpiece of ivory from the Walkers Art Gallery. London, 1985. cat. no. 265.
  • Williamson, Paul and Davies, Glyn, Medieval Ivory Carvings, 1200-1550, (in 2 parts), V&A Publishing, Victoria and Albert Museum, London, 2014 part 1, pp. 122-123
  • Williamson, Paul and Davies, Glyn, Medieval Ivory Carvings, 1200-1550, (in 2 parts), V&A Publishing, Victoria and Albert Museum, London, 2014, part 1, pp. 122-123, cat. no. 37
Collection
Sculpture Collection
Accession number
A.16-1949

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

Record createdJune 24, 2009
Record URL
https://collections.vam.ac.uk/item/O312907/the-virgin-and-child-from-panel-unknown/
Download as: JSONIIIF Manifest