Plaque, ivory, representing the Crucifixion, possibly Flemish or Lower Rhenish, ca. 1130-1150

Christ hangs on the cross; his feet resting on a suppedaneum; Below the suppedaneum the shaft of the cross is represented as a rough tree trunk, and behind this is a bearded figure, around whom is wrapped the serpent often seen at the foot of the cross. He grasps the tree and pulls with his left hand at a rope which binds the feet of Christ. This appears to be a unique feature and might represent Satan or Adam. To the left and right stand the Virgin and St. John in attitudes of grief, and above the arms of the cross are two angels on each side (but with just one pair of wings each) issuing down from the clouds in the corners. The ground is represented by foliate scrolls; a border of acanthus palmettes surrounds the whole.

Purchaesed from the Webb Collection in 1866.

This ivory plaque depicts the Crucifixion. It is perhaps lower Rhenish or Flemish and made at the beginning of the 12th century. Christ hangs on the cross, his feet resting on a suppedaneum; below is a tiny figure, probably Satan or Adam, holding one end of a rope which binds the feet of Christ. To left and right stand the Virgin and St. John in attitudes of grief, and above the arms of the cross two angels issue from clouds. The ground is represented by foliate scrolls; a border of acanthus palmettes surrounds the whole.

151-1866