The Virgin and Child
Panel
first half of 14th century (made)
first half of 14th century (made)
Artist/Maker | |
Place of origin |
This is an ivory tabernacle polyptych made in about 1250 in Northern France. The panel is carved in high relief representing the Virgin and Child seated under an architectural canopy. The term tabernacle polyptych has been used here (ref. Williamson and Davies) to describe an object which consists of a deep central chamber with canopy, usually containing the Virgin and Child, and four hinged wings with narrative scenes, which would distinguish them from the smaller category of simpler polyptychs, which are made up of a series of plaques hinged together but with no central tabernacle.
A feature that links most tabernacle polyptychs together is the method of facture: Although the Virgins in the tabernacles appear from the front to be statuettes they are with few exceptions carved integrally with the back and base panels, which is remarkably skilful.
A feature that links most tabernacle polyptychs together is the method of facture: Although the Virgins in the tabernacles appear from the front to be statuettes they are with few exceptions carved integrally with the back and base panels, which is remarkably skilful.
Object details
Categories | |
Object type | |
Title | The Virgin and Child (generic title) |
Materials and techniques | Ivory carved in high relief |
Brief description | Panel, Centre panel of a plyptych, ivory, the Virgin and Child, Northern France, ca. 1250 |
Physical description | The Virgin and Child under a canopy. The Virgin is seated on a backless throne with mouldings at top and bottom at the sides; she wears a veil and a long mantle and holds the stem of a flower or staff in her right hand. She is shown in three-quarter view, turning towards the Christ Child who9m she holds at the back with her left hand. She blesses with her right hand and grasps the centre of his tunic. The figures are shown under a trefoil canopy with beaded moulding, embellished above with an arcaded architectural tableau resembling a church façade, with a central feature and flanking towers, and a tiled roof. |
Dimensions |
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Object history | In the possession of John Webb, London, by 1862 (London 1862, cat. no. 70); on loan to the Museum from 1867 and purchased from Webb in 1867 (£12). |
Subjects depicted | |
Summary | This is an ivory tabernacle polyptych made in about 1250 in Northern France. The panel is carved in high relief representing the Virgin and Child seated under an architectural canopy. The term tabernacle polyptych has been used here (ref. Williamson and Davies) to describe an object which consists of a deep central chamber with canopy, usually containing the Virgin and Child, and four hinged wings with narrative scenes, which would distinguish them from the smaller category of simpler polyptychs, which are made up of a series of plaques hinged together but with no central tabernacle. A feature that links most tabernacle polyptychs together is the method of facture: Although the Virgins in the tabernacles appear from the front to be statuettes they are with few exceptions carved integrally with the back and base panels, which is remarkably skilful. |
Bibliographic references |
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Collection | |
Accession number | 382-1871 |
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Record created | September 9, 2008 |
Record URL |
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