Scenes from the Life of Christ
Panel
12th century (made)
12th century (made)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
Byzantine ivory plaques of this type, originally serving as icons or parts of diptychs, were brought to Italy in large numbers and often reused as book covers. The scenes depicted here are the Annunciation, the Nativity, the Transfiguration, the Raising of Lazarus, the Maries at the Sepulchre and the Meeting in the Garden.
Originally the plaque might have been part of a diptych. If this is the case, it is clear that the plaque was later reused. Both lateral borders were shaved down to reduce the width of the plaque and perhaps to eliminate the hinge holes on the right side. It is probable that the plaque was employed as a book-cover, probably on a western manuscript. Judging by the wear at the upper right and the flattening effect of the abrasion to the upper arm of the apostle behind Christ in the Raising of Lazarus scene, it would seem likely that it served as the back cover. One might expect that the now-missing right leaf was set into the front cover.
Originally the plaque might have been part of a diptych. If this is the case, it is clear that the plaque was later reused. Both lateral borders were shaved down to reduce the width of the plaque and perhaps to eliminate the hinge holes on the right side. It is probable that the plaque was employed as a book-cover, probably on a western manuscript. Judging by the wear at the upper right and the flattening effect of the abrasion to the upper arm of the apostle behind Christ in the Raising of Lazarus scene, it would seem likely that it served as the back cover. One might expect that the now-missing right leaf was set into the front cover.
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Title | Scenes from the Life of Christ (generic title) |
| Materials and techniques | Elephant ivory |
| Brief description | Panel, ivory, Scenes from the Life of Christ, Byzantine (Constantinople) or the Holy Land, 12th century |
| Physical description | Ivory panel. On the top the The Annunciation and the Nativity with the Wahsing of the Christ Child. In the middle the Transfiguration and the Raising of Lazarus. On the bottom the Maries at the Sepulchre and Christ with the Maries in the Garden (the Chairete). On top and bottom are narrow borders of leaf elements. There are three holes both at the top and bottom, now filled with either bone or wood plugs. Two fruther plugged holes along the right edge; and another two in the middle row, near the left border and on teh right , between Christ and Lazarus. The back is plain. |
| Dimensions |
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| Style | |
| Marks and inscriptions |
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| Object history | Purchased from John Webb, £100. Originally the plaque might have been part of a diptych. If this is the case, it is clear that the plaque was later reused. Both lateral borders were shaved down to reduce the width of the plaque and perhaps to eliminate the hinge holes on the right side. It is probable that the plaque was employed as a book-cover, probably on a western manuscript. Judging by the wear at the upper right and the flattening effect of the abrasion to the upper arm of the apostle behind Christ in the Raising of Lazarus scene, it would seem likely that it served as the back cover. One might expect that the now-missing right leaf was set into the front cover. |
| Historical context | Various works in a related style - probably the products of the same school but not necessarily the same workshop - survive including a plaque with the Entry into Jerusalem in the British Museum, a Nativity in Liverpool and panels showing the raising of Lazarus and the Last Judgement in the V&A. In this group compositions tend to be crowded with comparatively small-scale figures, their heads seen in almost full profile but with features carved on the steeply cut concealed side. |
| Subjects depicted | |
| Summary | Byzantine ivory plaques of this type, originally serving as icons or parts of diptychs, were brought to Italy in large numbers and often reused as book covers. The scenes depicted here are the Annunciation, the Nativity, the Transfiguration, the Raising of Lazarus, the Maries at the Sepulchre and the Meeting in the Garden. Originally the plaque might have been part of a diptych. If this is the case, it is clear that the plaque was later reused. Both lateral borders were shaved down to reduce the width of the plaque and perhaps to eliminate the hinge holes on the right side. It is probable that the plaque was employed as a book-cover, probably on a western manuscript. Judging by the wear at the upper right and the flattening effect of the abrasion to the upper arm of the apostle behind Christ in the Raising of Lazarus scene, it would seem likely that it served as the back cover. One might expect that the now-missing right leaf was set into the front cover. |
| Associated objects |
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| Bibliographic references |
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| Collection | |
| Accession number | 295-1867 |
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| Record created | January 10, 2003 |
| Record URL |
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