The Assumption of the Virgin thumbnail 1
Image of Gallery in South Kensington
On display at V&A South Kensington
Sculpture, Room 111, The Gilbert Bayes Gallery

The Assumption of the Virgin

Relief
ca. 1700 - ca. 1720 (made)
Artist/Maker
Unknown
Place of origin
Naples (made)
Sicily (made)

This ivory figure group, made in the ca. 1700-20 in South Italy, Naples or Sicily, represents the Assumption of the Virgin and scenes of the life of the Virgin. The carving is composed of scores of minute figures in full relief, the tusk has been sawn down the middle, the other half forming A.21- 1926. Six rosettes show the Nativity of the Virgin, the Presentation of the Virgin as a Young Girl in the Temple, the Annunciation, the Visitation, and the Immaculate Conception.


Object details

Categories
Sculpture
Christianity
Religion
Reliefs
Object type
Relief
TitleThe Assumption of the Virgin (generic title)
Materials and techniques
Carved ivory in relief on scagliola base
Ivory
Scagliola
Carving
Relief
Brief description
Figure group, carved ivory, the Assumption of the Virgin Mary, South Italy (Naples or Sicily), ca. 1700-1720
Physical description
Carved ivory relief depicting the Assumption of the Virgin and scenes of the life of the Virgin. The carving is composed of scores of minute figures in full relief, the tusk has been sawn down the middle, the other half forming A.21-1926. Six rosettes show the Nativity of the Virgin, the Presentation of the Virgin as a Young Girl in the Temple, the Annunciation, the Visitation, and the Immaculate Conception. In the centre the Virgin is seen ascending to Heaven, while beneath the Apostles and other figures are grouped around the empty tomb. Above, Christ is seen with God the Father, and angels.
Dimensions
  • Ivory alone height: 22.4cm
  • Width: 16cm
  • Whole height: 25.4cm
Credit line
Given by Dr W. L. Hildburgh FSA
Object history
Given by Dr W.L. Hildburgh F.S.A. in 1926. Formerly in the collection of the Right Hon. the Earl of Cromer, 36 Wimpole Street, London W1. This and its companion piece (Mus. no. A.21-1926) sold as a pair by the Earl to Hildburgh for £50 in 1926. Hildburgh immediately donated them to the Museum.
Subjects depicted
Mary (Virgin Mary)
Apostles
Christ
God
Summary
This ivory figure group, made in the ca. 1700-20 in South Italy, Naples or Sicily, represents the Assumption of the Virgin and scenes of the life of the Virgin. The carving is composed of scores of minute figures in full relief, the tusk has been sawn down the middle, the other half forming A.21- 1926. Six rosettes show the Nativity of the Virgin, the Presentation of the Virgin as a Young Girl in the Temple, the Annunciation, the Visitation, and the Immaculate Conception.
Associated object
A.21-1926 (Version)
Bibliographic references
  • Longhurst, Margaret H. Catalogue of Carvings in Ivory. London: Published under the Authority of the Board of Education, 1927-1929, Part II, pp. 105-106
  • Theuerkauff, C. Die Bildwerke der Skulpturengalerie Berlin. 2. Die Bildwerke in Elfenbein des 16. - 19. Jahrhunderts. Berlin, 1986, pp. 354, 360, no. 9, note 21
  • Theuerkauff, Christian von, ed. Elfenbein: Sammlung Reiner Winkler. vol. II, 1994, p. 123, no. 54
  • Theuerkauff, Christian von, ed. Elfenbein: Sammlung Reiner Winkler. vol. I, 1984, p. 218, no. 139
  • Trusted, Marjorie, Baroque & Later Ivories, Victoria & Albert Museum, London, 2013, cat. no. 302, pp. 308, 9
Collection
Sculpture Collection
Accession number
A.22-1926

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Record createdNovember 23, 2004
Record URL
https://collections.vam.ac.uk/item/O107412/the-assumption-of-the-virgin-relief-unknown/
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