Adoration of the Magi
Relief
late fifteenth century (made)
late fifteenth century (made)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
This (and its companion piece depicting the Annunciation - Mus. no. 232-1867) is an ivory group made in the late fifteenth century or possibly second quarter of the nineteenth century in France or South Netherlands. The present piece is carved in high relief depicting the Adoration of the Magi within a canopied niche.
The original context of the two pieces is not immediately apparent. Whatever their setting, they appear to derive their form from the supporting small narrative panels often seen on Netherlandish altarpieces in wood of the late fifteenth and early sixteenth centuries. Certain features, however, such as the form of the Virgin's reading desk, the closed book, the incorrect gesture of annunciation from the angel and the rough inscription on the scroll might indicate a nineteenth century date, perhaps in the years 1830-50.
The original context of the two pieces is not immediately apparent. Whatever their setting, they appear to derive their form from the supporting small narrative panels often seen on Netherlandish altarpieces in wood of the late fifteenth and early sixteenth centuries. Certain features, however, such as the form of the Virgin's reading desk, the closed book, the incorrect gesture of annunciation from the angel and the rough inscription on the scroll might indicate a nineteenth century date, perhaps in the years 1830-50.
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Title | Adoration of the Magi (generic title) |
| Materials and techniques | Carved elephant ivory |
| Brief description | Group, carved ivory, depicting the Adoration of the Magi, French or South Netherlands, late fifteenth century or possibly second quarter of the nineteenth century |
| Physical description | Ivory group carved in high relief depicting the Adoration of the Magi within a canopied niche. The kings are arranged in two tiers, with the first king offering his gift of gold in a footed cup to the naked Christ-Child on the Virgin's knee; the two kings behind hold their crowns in their left hands and their gifts in their right. |
| Dimensions |
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| Object history | In the possession of John Webb, London, by 1862 (London 1862, cat. no. 157); purchased from Webb in 1867, for £20, for both 282 and 283-1867. |
| Subjects depicted | |
| Summary | This (and its companion piece depicting the Annunciation - Mus. no. 232-1867) is an ivory group made in the late fifteenth century or possibly second quarter of the nineteenth century in France or South Netherlands. The present piece is carved in high relief depicting the Adoration of the Magi within a canopied niche. The original context of the two pieces is not immediately apparent. Whatever their setting, they appear to derive their form from the supporting small narrative panels often seen on Netherlandish altarpieces in wood of the late fifteenth and early sixteenth centuries. Certain features, however, such as the form of the Virgin's reading desk, the closed book, the incorrect gesture of annunciation from the angel and the rough inscription on the scroll might indicate a nineteenth century date, perhaps in the years 1830-50. |
| Associated object | 282-1867 (Ensemble) |
| Bibliographic references |
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| Collection | |
| Accession number | 283-1867 |
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| Record created | October 18, 2004 |
| Record URL |
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