Christ in Majesty
Panel
second half of 11th century (made)
second half of 11th century (made)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
During the period 900-1200, ivories were produced all over Europe, often in monasteries and ecclesiastical or royal courts. Pieces such as this were used for liturgical purposes. Ivory carvings appeared on book covers, reliquary caskets, antependia (the panel in front of an altar) and religious icons.
The present plaque is unusual in representing Christ in apocalyptic form, severe of visage and holding the attributes of judgement and retribution. The highly unusual feature of the perforated globe has puzzled several scholars. It was also suggested that the small circle held a relic, but there doesn't appear to be any evidence to support this. It was made in Northern France or Flanders, probably under Anlgo-Saxon influence, probably in the second half of the 11th century.
The present plaque is unusual in representing Christ in apocalyptic form, severe of visage and holding the attributes of judgement and retribution. The highly unusual feature of the perforated globe has puzzled several scholars. It was also suggested that the small circle held a relic, but there doesn't appear to be any evidence to support this. It was made in Northern France or Flanders, probably under Anlgo-Saxon influence, probably in the second half of the 11th century.
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Title | Christ in Majesty (generic title) |
| Materials and techniques | Carved ivory |
| Brief description | Panel relief, ivory, Christ in Majesty, Northern France or Flanders, probably under Anlgo-Saxon influence, probably second half of 11th century |
| Physical description | Relief depicting Christ in Majesty. Christ is shown as the Maiestas Domini of the Last Judgement. Enclosed within a rope-like mandorla, the elongated figure is seated on the throne of Heaven with the earth as his footstool (Matthew, V, 34-35). He has a cruciform nimbus and wears a diadem on his head. A book rests on his left knee, in his covered left hand he holds a flaming chalice ('the cup of his vengeance'), and in his right the key of David or of death and hell and a sceptre with cross. He is seated on a cushion, resting on a circle within a vesica. In the foru corners are the symbols of the four Evangelists, the whole composition framed by a simple undecorated border with inner and outer rebates. The back is entirely plain. |
| Dimensions |
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| Object history | Previously in the Essingh Collection at Cologne (Sale, Cologne, 1865, No.855). Purchased from Webb, £ 40. Historical significance: The present plaque is unusual in representing Christ in apocalyptic form, severe of visage and holding the attributes of judgement and retribution. The highly unusual feature of the perforated globe has puzzled several scholars. The radiocarbon dating of the ivory gives an early date of the late seventh to the early eighth century, for the raw material and suggests that the carver was utilizing an earlier panel. It was also suggested that the small circle held a relic, but there doesn't appear to be any evidence to support this. |
| Production | Northern France or Flanders, probably under Anlgo-Saxon influence; probably second half of 11th century. The authenticity of this relief has been doubted. |
| Subjects depicted | |
| Summary | During the period 900-1200, ivories were produced all over Europe, often in monasteries and ecclesiastical or royal courts. Pieces such as this were used for liturgical purposes. Ivory carvings appeared on book covers, reliquary caskets, antependia (the panel in front of an altar) and religious icons. The present plaque is unusual in representing Christ in apocalyptic form, severe of visage and holding the attributes of judgement and retribution. The highly unusual feature of the perforated globe has puzzled several scholars. It was also suggested that the small circle held a relic, but there doesn't appear to be any evidence to support this. It was made in Northern France or Flanders, probably under Anlgo-Saxon influence, probably in the second half of the 11th century. |
| Bibliographic references |
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| Collection | |
| Accession number | 2-1872 |
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| Record created | December 30, 2003 |
| Record URL |
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