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Diptych - The Nativity, the Adoration of the Magi, the Crucifixion and the Coronation of the Virgin
  • The Nativity, the Adoration of the Magi, the Crucifixion and the Coronation of the Virgin
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The Nativity, the Adoration of the Magi, the Crucifixion and the Coronation of the Virgin

  • Object:

    Diptych

  • Place of origin:

    Köln (city), Germany (made)

  • Date:

    ca. 1340-1350 (made)

  • Artist/Maker:

    unknown (production)

  • Materials and Techniques:

    Carved elephant ivory

  • Credit Line:

    Salting Bequest

  • Museum number:

    A.554-1910

  • Gallery location:

    Sculpture, room 111, case DR9

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Ivory plaques such as this were normally arranged in diptychs or triptychs. Diptychs consisted of two tablets hinged together, while triptychs were two tablets hinged on either side of a central tablet. The smaller ones were probably held in the hand and opened like a small book, while the larger ones would have stood open on a table or altar.

Physical description

Ivory diptych with scenes in four compartments, each surmounted by three trefoil arches. In the left wing, above is the crucifixion with the Virgin supported by the two Maries on the left, and St. John the Evangelist, Joseph of Arimathea, and another figure on the right. Below is the Nativity with the Annunciation to the Shepherds in the background. In the right wing, above is the Coronation of the Virgin; Christ and the Virgin are seated on a long bench; the former holds a book in His left hand and blesses with His right; the latter is in an attitude of prayer; at each side on brackets are kneeling angels bearing censers. Below is the Adoration of the Magi; the infant Christ stands on His mother's knee and receives a gift from a kneeling king.

Place of Origin

Köln (city), Germany (made)

Date

ca. 1340-1350 (made)

Artist/maker

unknown (production)

Materials and Techniques

Carved elephant ivory

Dimensions

Height: 16 cm, Width: 22.5 cm

Object history note

From the Salting bequest.

Descriptive line

Diptych, ivory, with scenes from the life of Christ, Germany (Cologne), ca. 1340-50

Bibliographic References (Citation, Note/Abstract, NAL no)

Longhurst, Margaret H. Catalogue of Carvings in Ivory. Part II. London: Victoria and Albert Museum, 1929, p. 19
'Salting Bequest (A. 70 to A. 1029-1910) / Murray Bequest (A. 1030 to A. 1096-1910)'. In: List of Works of Art Acquired by the Victoria and Albert Museum (Department of Architecture and Sculpture). London: Printed under the Authority of his Majesty's Stationery Office, by Eyre and Spottiswoode, Limited, East Harding Street, EC, pp. 91, 92

Production Note

Previously considered to be French.

Materials

Elephant ivory

Techniques

Carving

Subjects depicted

Mary (Virgin Mary); Angels; John (Saint John the Evangelist); Arches; Jesus Christ; Joseph (of Arimethaea)

Categories

Sculpture; Christianity

Collection code

SCP

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Qr_O88604
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