Misericord
1438-1450 (made)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
Misericords were set on the underside of the hinged seats in the choirs of churches. They had no religious function but gave some support to the monks and clergy in the long parts of the services when standing was required. This explains the name 'misericord', which comes from the Latin for mercy. The decoration was often amusing and sometimes moral.
The Museum acquired this misericord, and 17 others, in England. But they are very similar to others made for the church of St Peter's, Louvain, in the Southern Netherlands (now Belgium). They could have been removed from the church in the early 1800s, during the upheavals of the French Revolution.
The Museum acquired this misericord, and 17 others, in England. But they are very similar to others made for the church of St Peter's, Louvain, in the Southern Netherlands (now Belgium). They could have been removed from the church in the early 1800s, during the upheavals of the French Revolution.
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Materials and techniques | Carved oak |
| Brief description | Misericord depicting two jesters or wrestlers, ca. 1441-45, Southern Netherlands, oak, possibly carved by Claes de Bruyn |
| Physical description | Wooden board with narrow ledge seat in the centre supported by two jesters dancing and grasping each others shoulders. The squarish foolscap with asses' ears is combined with the tunic on each figure. The jester on the right has a purse on his belt. The manner in which the two are holding each other and the position of their legs indicate a clownish dance, such as is recorded in carnival processions. Two iron hinges. |
| Dimensions |
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| Credit line | Given by Mr J. H. Fitzhenry |
| Production | Southern Netherlands. It has been suggested by J.A.J.M. Verspaandonk in 1987 (in correspondence with the Furniture department, that Claes de Bruyn of Brussels, or an unknown assistant may have been the carver, on the basis of comparison with carving at the church of St Peter's, Louvain |
| Summary | Misericords were set on the underside of the hinged seats in the choirs of churches. They had no religious function but gave some support to the monks and clergy in the long parts of the services when standing was required. This explains the name 'misericord', which comes from the Latin for mercy. The decoration was often amusing and sometimes moral. The Museum acquired this misericord, and 17 others, in England. But they are very similar to others made for the church of St Peter's, Louvain, in the Southern Netherlands (now Belgium). They could have been removed from the church in the early 1800s, during the upheavals of the French Revolution. |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | W.29-1910 |
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| Record created | August 28, 2001 |
| Record URL |
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