Frame
1800-1875 (made)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
Wood, possibly walnut, veneered with mother-of-pearl on which are engraved scenes from the life of Christ, the figures of saints and floral borders, with two beadings of a dark wood. With a glazed door (the glass and locks apparently 19th century) which is fitted with a lock and key, accessing a recess lined with red silk velvet of 19th century date. Fixing holes suggest that a flat object was pinned onto the velvet lining.
Modifications
A section of engraved shell depicting a monk with a cross, at lower right corner (bottom) appears to be a replaced insert from another source, since the character of the engraving differs from the other veneers.
Hanging Method
The frame is fitted with three modern mirror plates. Behind the top two are squared mortices with signs of cord(?) wear, but it is not clear how these functioned.
Modifications
A section of engraved shell depicting a monk with a cross, at lower right corner (bottom) appears to be a replaced insert from another source, since the character of the engraving differs from the other veneers.
Hanging Method
The frame is fitted with three modern mirror plates. Behind the top two are squared mortices with signs of cord(?) wear, but it is not clear how these functioned.
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Parts | This object consists of 2 parts.
|
| Materials and techniques | Wood with mother of pearl, engraved; with glazed door, recess lined with silk velvet |
| Brief description | Wood frame, veneered with engraved mother of pearl, probably Jerusalem, 1800-1875 |
| Physical description | Wood, possibly walnut, veneered with mother-of-pearl on which are engraved scenes from the life of Christ, the figures of saints and floral borders, with two beadings of a dark wood. With a glazed door (the glass and locks apparently 19th century) which is fitted with a lock and key, accessing a recess lined with red silk velvet of 19th century date. Fixing holes suggest that a flat object was pinned onto the velvet lining. Modifications A section of engraved shell depicting a monk with a cross, at lower right corner (bottom) appears to be a replaced insert from another source, since the character of the engraving differs from the other veneers. Hanging Method The frame is fitted with three modern mirror plates. Behind the top two are squared mortices with signs of cord(?) wear, but it is not clear how these functioned. |
| Dimensions |
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| Credit line | Bequeathed by John Jones |
| Object history | John Jones Bequest. Acquired as Spanish, 17th century. Conservation in 2017 involved the reattaching of numerous loose veneers and the removal of a discoloured and brittle shellac varnish. Attribution It is now considered probable that the frame was made in Jerusalem during the 19th century where there was a signficant production of mother of pearl devotional souvenir items by Franciscan communities. |
| Bibliographic reference | Oliver Brackett, Catalogue of the Jones Collection, Part I -- Furniture. (London, V & A, 1922), no. 102
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| Collection | |
| Accession number | 883:1, 2-1882 |
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| Record created | June 24, 2009 |
| Record URL |
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