The Rest on the Flight into Egypt thumbnail 1
Image of Gallery in South Kensington
On display at V&A South Kensington
Sculpture, Room 111, The Gilbert Bayes Gallery

The Rest on the Flight into Egypt

Relief
1690-1700 (made)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

Throughout the ages artists and craftsmen have made virtuoso carvings as a display of their skill and ingenuity. Although ivory, wood and stone are relatively easy to carve, other materials such as gemstones are much more demanding. Most of these carvings were made for wealthy patrons and collectors, who delighted in the rarity of the material and quality of the carving. This relief uses two precious materials: amber from the Baltic region and lapis lazuli from Afghanistan. It may have formed part of an altarpiece.
The subject of the scene is the miracle of the palm, which bent down to give its fruit to the Holy Family on their rest on the flight into Egypt. Angels then carried a branch up to Heaven to be planted there.


Object details

Categories
Object type
TitleThe Rest on the Flight into Egypt (generic title)
Materials and techniques
Amber on lapis lazuli with slate backing and gilt surround
Brief description
Relief, amber on lapis lazuli with slate backing and gilt surround, depicting the Rest on the Flight into Egypt, probably made in Italy, 1690-1700
Physical description
St. Joseph is behind the Virgin, his right forearm extended. The Virgin, who appears to be partly supported by St. Joseph, holds the Infant Christ with her right hand, and gently supports the infant St. John with her left hand. There is an angel and a tree to the left of the central group, two angels and a tree to the right, whilst above are four cherubs and a cloud.
Dimensions
  • Height: 27.5cm
  • Width: 21.2cm
Credit line
Given by Dr W. L. Hildburgh FSA
Object history
Given by Dr. W. L. Hildburgh, F. S. A.
Subjects depicted
Summary
Throughout the ages artists and craftsmen have made virtuoso carvings as a display of their skill and ingenuity. Although ivory, wood and stone are relatively easy to carve, other materials such as gemstones are much more demanding. Most of these carvings were made for wealthy patrons and collectors, who delighted in the rarity of the material and quality of the carving. This relief uses two precious materials: amber from the Baltic region and lapis lazuli from Afghanistan. It may have formed part of an altarpiece.
The subject of the scene is the miracle of the palm, which bent down to give its fruit to the Holy Family on their rest on the flight into Egypt. Angels then carried a branch up to Heaven to be planted there.
Bibliographic references
  • Trusted, Marjorie. Catalogue of European Ambers in the Victoria and Albert Museum. London : Victoria and Albert Museum, 1985, cat.no. 22
  • Trusted, Marjorie, ed. The Making of Sculpture. The Materials and Techniques of European Sculpture. London: 2007, p. 140, pl. 258
Collection
Accession number
A.12-1950

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Record createdJanuary 13, 2004
Record URL
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