Circular box with lid with relief busts of busts of St James the Greater and probably Christ and the Virgin
Box and Lid
ca. 1700-1730 (made)
ca. 1700-1730 (made)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
This turned and carved ivory box and lid was probably made in Germany. It is difficult to interpret the iconography. The box appears to have some sacred purpose, and the inclusion of St James might suggest it was connected with pilgrimages, although the scenes of lions pursuing naked figures seem to be secular. The fairly crude figure style means that it is hard to date precisely, but it might well be early eighteenth century.
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Parts | This object consists of 2 parts.
|
| Title | Circular box with lid with relief busts of busts of St James the Greater and probably Christ and the Virgin (named collection) |
| Materials and techniques | turned ivory |
| Brief description | Box and lid, turned ivory, with busts of St James the Greater and probably Christ and the Virgin, German, ca. 1700-1730 |
| Physical description | Turned and carved ivory box and screw lid. Round the box are two lions and two fleeing naked figures in a forest. On the bottom a bust in relief with the letters 'S. IAC-ABVS' surrounded by turned ornament. In the centre of the lid on the outside, a bust in relief, to the right, of a bearded man surrounded by turned ornament and on the inside centre, a bust in relief to the left of a woman. On the top of the lid is the bsut of a veiled woman, probalby the Virgin. |
| Dimensions |
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| Marks and inscriptions | 'S. IVC-ABVS'
|
| Object history | Given by Dr W.L. Hildburgh F.S.A. in 1949; formerly on loan from Dr Hildburgh. |
| Subjects depicted | |
| Summary | This turned and carved ivory box and lid was probably made in Germany. It is difficult to interpret the iconography. The box appears to have some sacred purpose, and the inclusion of St James might suggest it was connected with pilgrimages, although the scenes of lions pursuing naked figures seem to be secular. The fairly crude figure style means that it is hard to date precisely, but it might well be early eighteenth century. |
| Bibliographic reference | Trusted, Marjorie, Baroque & Later Ivories, Victoria & Albert Museum, London, 2013, cat. no. 92 |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | A.47-1949 |
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| Record created | June 24, 2009 |
| Record URL |
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