The Coronation of the Virgin
- Object:
- Place of origin:
England, Great Britain (made)
- Date:
- Artist/Maker:
- Materials and Techniques:
Carved and gilt alabaster
- Credit Line:
Given by Dr W. L. Hildburgh FSA
- Museum number:
- Gallery location:
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The crowned Virgin, wearing a tight fitting gown and a cloak over her shoulders, is enthroned in the centre of the panel, her hands raised apart in an attitude of prayer. Behind her there are three figures representing the three figures of the Holy Trinity, God the Father on theright, God the son on the left and God the Holy Spirit in the centre.
Physical description
The crowned Virgin, wearing a tight-fitting gown and a cloak over her shoulders, is enthroned in the centre of the panel, her hands raised apart in an attitude of prayer. The Holy Trinity is represented as three separate figures, all haloed and with two of them showing bare feet. Above to the left, with his feet on a pedestal and turned towards her, is seated the Son, bearded and wearing the torse but with no crown. A cloak is draped over his left shoulder and his knees, leaving the upper part of his body bare. He looks down at the Virgin, his left hand touching the crown. God the Father, crowned and bearded and wearing gown, tippet and cloak is seated in a similar position on the right of the panel, also with his feet on a pedestal. His right hand is raised in blessing; his left hand touches the Virgin's crown. An orb rests on his lap. A similar figure representing the Holy Spirit is behind the Virgin. The eyelids of all four figures are carved. The Virgin wears shoes.
The right hands of the Son and the Virgin are missing. The top of the panel and the bottom corners are missing. Traces of an inscription NO DE remain on the left pedestal and MCCCCVL or MCCCCVI on the right pedestal. No paint remains except for the very slightest traces of gilding. There are four lead-plugged holes in the back of the panel, all with traces of latten wire. The panel is cut away at the bottom.
Place of Origin
England, Great Britain (made)
Date
15th century (made)
Artist/maker
Unknown (production)
Materials and Techniques
Carved and gilt alabaster
Dimensions
Height: 42.2 cm, Width: 26.5 cm
Object history note
Formerly in Spain. Given by W. L. Hildburgh, 1946. On loan since 1922.
Descriptive line
Alabaster panel depicting the Coronation of the Virgin. English, 15th century.
Bibliographic References (Citation, Note/Abstract, NAL no)
Cheetham, Francis. English Medieval Alabasters. Oxford: Phaidon-Christie's Limited, 1984. p. 215 (cat. 142), ill. ISBN 0-7148-8014-0
Materials
Gilt; Alabaster
Techniques
Carving; Gilding
Subjects depicted
Mary (Virgin Mary); Crown; Cloak; Halo; God; Christ; Throne; Gown; Orb; Shoes; Torse; Pedestal; Tippet
Categories
Sculpture; Religion; Christianity
Collection code
SCP
