Not currently on display at the V&A

Christ in Majesty with St Matthew

Panel
15th century (made)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

This panel may have formed part of a Last Judgement altarpiece based on St Matthew's gospel, which tells of Christ coming with angels to sit upon the throne of glory. Here, the figures surrounding Christ appear to represent the Souls of the Blessed.


Object details

Categories
Object type
TitleChrist in Majesty with St Matthew (generic title)
Materials and techniques
Carved and painted alabaster
Brief description
Alabaster panel depicting Christ in Majesty with St Matthew. English, 15th century.
Physical description
The panel is framed by two pillars, one clearly twisted in design, the other not fully visible, each surmounted by a battlemented capital. Above them is a background decorated with leaf-shaped patterns. The crowned and bearded figure of the Risen Christ, wearing a gown and a cloak fastened with a brooch, is enthroned in glory; his right hand is raised and he holds an orb surmounted with a cross in his left hand. He is surrounded by the souls of the blessed, ten of whose heads and shoulders are to be seen. They do not appear to be angels since no wings are shown. They are within a mandorla, the border of which is carved with triangles and rays around the lower edge. The mandorla is placed asymmetrically and comes right to the top edge of the panel, perhaps to give a sense of movement upwards. On the left of the panel stands the bearded figure of St. Matthew, wearing a gown and a cloak, with a halberd in his left hand and a money box in his right.

The top corner of the panel is damaged and the bottom of the panel is missing. The alabaster at the bottom is heavily iron-stained. Only slight traces of paint remain on the panel. This is mainly black in the triangles of the mandorla and beneath the feet of Christ.

A ridge down the middle of the back of the panel marks the place where saw cuts from each side met. There are three lead-plugged holes. There are two sets of marks: three parallel lines and three parallel lines intersected by a single line. The bottom has been cut away.
Dimensions
  • Height: 36.1cm
  • Width: 24.7cm
From Cheetham, English Medieval Alabasters, 1984.
Style
Marks and inscriptions
  • 3 parallel lines. (On the back of the panel.)
  • 3 parallel lines intersected by a single line. (On the back of the panel.)
Credit line
Given by Dr W. L. Hildburgh FSA
Object history
Acquired by Dr W. L. Hildburgh in Paris. On loan from him since 1930. Given by Dr Hildburgh in 1946.
Subjects depicted
Summary
This panel may have formed part of a Last Judgement altarpiece based on St Matthew's gospel, which tells of Christ coming with angels to sit upon the throne of glory. Here, the figures surrounding Christ appear to represent the Souls of the Blessed.
Bibliographic reference
Cheetham, Francis. English Medieval Alabasters. Oxford: Phaidon-Christie's Limited, 1984. p. 295 (cat. 222), ill. ISBN 0-7148-8014-0
Collection
Accession number
A.169-1946

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Record createdNovember 26, 2002
Record URL
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