The Transfiguration
Book Cover
ca. 870-880 (made)
ca. 870-880 (made)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
This is one of two ivory plaques, probably from a book cover, made in Lorraine (Metz) in about 870-880. This plaque shows the Transfiguration, while the other (Mus. no. 255-1867) would show Christ healing the Leper and the Blind.
During the period 900-1200, ivories were produced all over Europe, often in monasteries and ecclesiastical or royal courts. The pieces were used for liturgical purposes. Ivory carvings appeared on book covers, reliquary caskets, antependia (the panel in front of an altar) and religious icons. This was probably originally from a book cover.
The Transfiguration shows the moment when Christ made known his divine nature to his apostles Peter, James and John, in the presence of the Old Testament patriarchs Moses and Elijah. It took place on Mount Tabor in Galilee.
Melzak convincingly connected the plaques with the Later Metz ivory panels of the border of the 'Cathedra Petri' in Rome and dated them to 870- 80. Iconographically the scenes of the healing of the leper and the healing of the blind man may be compared with those on the contemporary plaques in Berlin and Würzburg and products in Metz.
During the period 900-1200, ivories were produced all over Europe, often in monasteries and ecclesiastical or royal courts. The pieces were used for liturgical purposes. Ivory carvings appeared on book covers, reliquary caskets, antependia (the panel in front of an altar) and religious icons. This was probably originally from a book cover.
The Transfiguration shows the moment when Christ made known his divine nature to his apostles Peter, James and John, in the presence of the Old Testament patriarchs Moses and Elijah. It took place on Mount Tabor in Galilee.
Melzak convincingly connected the plaques with the Later Metz ivory panels of the border of the 'Cathedra Petri' in Rome and dated them to 870- 80. Iconographically the scenes of the healing of the leper and the healing of the blind man may be compared with those on the contemporary plaques in Berlin and Würzburg and products in Metz.
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Title | The Transfiguration (generic title) |
| Materials and techniques | Elephant ivory carved in high relief |
| Brief description | Book cover, ivory, The Transfiguration, Carolingian, France, Lorraine (Metz), ca. 870-880 |
| Physical description | The Transfiguration, panel in two compartments. Above Christ in a mandorla standing between Moses and Elias; below, the three adoring disciples point and cower in fear. The panel is surrounded by borders of foliage, itself contained inside a plain frame. |
| Dimensions |
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| Style | |
| Object history | NB. While the term 'the blind' has been used in this record, it has since fallen from usage and is now considered offensive. The term is repeated in this record in its original historical context. Purchased from Webb, £25. |
| Subjects depicted | |
| Summary | This is one of two ivory plaques, probably from a book cover, made in Lorraine (Metz) in about 870-880. This plaque shows the Transfiguration, while the other (Mus. no. 255-1867) would show Christ healing the Leper and the Blind. During the period 900-1200, ivories were produced all over Europe, often in monasteries and ecclesiastical or royal courts. The pieces were used for liturgical purposes. Ivory carvings appeared on book covers, reliquary caskets, antependia (the panel in front of an altar) and religious icons. This was probably originally from a book cover. The Transfiguration shows the moment when Christ made known his divine nature to his apostles Peter, James and John, in the presence of the Old Testament patriarchs Moses and Elijah. It took place on Mount Tabor in Galilee. Melzak convincingly connected the plaques with the Later Metz ivory panels of the border of the 'Cathedra Petri' in Rome and dated them to 870- 80. Iconographically the scenes of the healing of the leper and the healing of the blind man may be compared with those on the contemporary plaques in Berlin and Würzburg and products in Metz. |
| Associated object | 255-1867 (Set) |
| Bibliographic references |
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| Collection | |
| Accession number | 256-1867 |
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| Record created | December 29, 2003 |
| Record URL |
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