During the period 900-1200, ivories were produced all over Europe, often in monasteries and ecclesiastical or royal courts. Ivory carvings appeared on book covers, reliquary caskets, antependia (the panel in front of an altar) and religious icons. This would have originally been from the side of a casket.
The work is extremely naïve and provincial, but the closest parallels in both style and iconography are with Italian rather than Spanish sculptures and a date at the beginning of the 13th century seems likely.
The format of the scenes, the figure types and canopies may be compared with the more accomplished wooden reliefs from the now-detached wings of the tabernacle containing the Madonna di Costantinopoli in Alatri, of about 1230, and the marble panels on the pulpits in Barga Cathedral and in S. Leonardo in Arcetri outside Florence.
It should be noted however that the plaque's earliest known provenance, coupled with stylistic and iconographic peculiarities, might allow for some doubts over its authenticity (for more details see: Williamson, Paul, 2010, pp. 355).
Physical description
Ivory panel from the side of a casket depicting the Annunciation, the Nativity and the Adoration of the Magi. In three horizontal compartments. In the left-hand compartment, under an architectural canopy, the Virgin is shown seated in the centre, looking left towards the approaching Angel Gabriel, while behind the Virgin is a handmaid witnessing the scene behind a curtain. In the centre panel the Nativity takes place; The Virgin lies, with the Child above her, to the right. In the left-hand corner is the seated figure of Joseph while above from the left and right respectively come the heads of the ass and ox, the latter shown in disproportionately large figures. In the third panel, below an architectural canopy, the three Magi approach the Virgin and Child. The Virgin is shown holding the nimbed Child on her knee. Between the two groups a star is shown in the sky. Above both the left and right-hand panels is a narrow band of architectural ornaments. The eyes of all figures have ben enlivened with the addition of tiny blue glass beads, most of which survive.
Place of Origin
Italy (central, made)
Date
ca. 1200-30 (made)
Artist/maker
Unknown (production)
Materials and Techniques
Elephant ivory
Dimensions
Height: 7.3 cm on left side, Height: 7.5 cm on right side, Width: 17 cm
Object history note
In the collection of Dr Adolf Hommel, Villa 'Dem Schönen', Zürich, until 1909 (sale 10-18 August 1909, lot 1375, ill.); in the possession of an unnamed German private collector or dealer in 1933. Bought through John Hunt, London, for £210, together with inv.no. A.9-1933, an English 13th century ivory relief.
Historical significance: The work is extremely naïve and provincial, but the closest parallels in both style and iconography are with Italian rather than Spanish sculptures and a date at the beginning of the 13th century seems likely.
The format of the scenes, the figure types and canopies may be compared with the more accomplished wooden reliefs from the now-detached wings of the tabernacle containing the Madonna di Costantinopoli in Alatri, of about 1230, and the marble panels on the pulpits in Barga Cathedral and in S. Leonardo in Arcetri outside Florence.
It should be noted however that the plaque's earliest known provenance, coupled with stylistic and iconographic peculiarities, might allow for some doubts over its authenticity (for more details see: Williamson, Paul, 2010, pp. 355).
Historical context note
The plaque appears to have originally formed part of a casket.
Descriptive line
Plaque, ivory, the Annunciation, the Nativity and the Adoration of the Magi, Italian (central), possibly about 1200-30
Bibliographic References (Citation, Note/Abstract, NAL no)
Goldschmidt, A. Die Elfenbeinskulpturen aus der romanischen Zeit. XI. Bis XIII. Jahrhundert, (Elfenbeinskulpturen IV), Berlin, 1926 (reprinted, Berlin, 1975), cat. no. 95, pl. XXXI
Williamson, Paul. Medieval Ivory Carvings. Early Christian to Romanesque. London, V&A Publishing, Victoria and Albert Museum, 2010, pp. 354-5, cat.no. 90
Exhibition History
The Decorated Page (Victoria and Albert Museum 01/10/1971-31/05/1972)
We Three Kings: The Magi in Act and Legend (Buckinghamshire County Museum, Aylesbury 25/10/1995-21/01/1996)
Romanesque Art from British Collections (Manchester Art Gallery 01/09/1959-31/10/1959)
Production Note
possibly ca. 1200-30
Materials
Ivory
Subjects depicted
Mary (Virgin Mary); Star; Joseph (of Nazareth, Saint); Jesus Christ; Ox; Gabriel (Angel); Ass; Stable
Categories
Sculpture; Religion; Christianity; Plaques & Plaquettes
Collection code
SCP
