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The Incredulity of St. Thomas

Relief
late 14th century (made)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

This fourteenth century alabaster panel shows St Thomas kneeling to place his fingers in the wound of the risen Christ who stands on the right holding a cross-staff in his left hand and the banner of the Resurrection. besides St Thomas nine other apostles are shown including St Peter and St John.

This panel is part of a larger altarpiece depicting the Passion of Christ. These panels are some of the earliest surviving examples of English alabaster reliefs. The carving of this fourteenth century example is of a finer quality than those executed in the fifteenth century.


Object details

Categories
Object type
TitleThe Incredulity of St. Thomas (generic title)
Materials and techniques
Carved alabaster
Brief description
Relief, alabaster, The Incredulity of St. Thomas, English, late 14th century
Physical description
Panel, alabaster, chamfered edges. St Thomas kneeling (left centre) places his fingers in the wound of the risen Christ who stands (right centre) holding a cross-staff (top missing) in his left hand. Five other apostles stand left, including S. Peter (with keys) and three on the left including S. John (with palm). No colour except traces of green and flowered ground. Top part of panel is missing.
Dimensions
  • Height: 41cm
  • Width: 36.8cm
Credit line
Given by Dr W. L. Hildburgh FSA
Object history
Given by Dr W.L Hildburgh after having been on loan since 1923.
Subjects depicted
Summary
This fourteenth century alabaster panel shows St Thomas kneeling to place his fingers in the wound of the risen Christ who stands on the right holding a cross-staff in his left hand and the banner of the Resurrection. besides St Thomas nine other apostles are shown including St Peter and St John.

This panel is part of a larger altarpiece depicting the Passion of Christ. These panels are some of the earliest surviving examples of English alabaster reliefs. The carving of this fourteenth century example is of a finer quality than those executed in the fifteenth century.
Associated objects
Bibliographic references
  • Cheetham, Francis. English Medieval Alabasters. Oxford: Phaidon-Christie's Limited, 1984.
  • Alexander, Jonathan, and Paul Binski (eds.), Age of Chivalry: Art in Plantagenet England 1200-1400, London: Weidenfeld and Nicholson, 1987.
Collection
Accession number
A.52-1946

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Record createdMarch 5, 2004
Record URL
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