Holy Matrimony
Panel
15th century (made)
15th century (made)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
The subject of Holy Matrimony is extremely rare in English alabaster. The panel presumably originally formed part of an altarpiece representing the Seven Sacraments.
A bishop wearing a mitre, chasuble and an alb stands in the middle of the panel between a young couple. On the right there is a young woman holding a book in her right hand and on the left there is a young man wearing a flattish hat, a short gown and a cloak. The panel is badly damaged and the hands of the bishop and of the young woman are missing.
A bishop wearing a mitre, chasuble and an alb stands in the middle of the panel between a young couple. On the right there is a young woman holding a book in her right hand and on the left there is a young man wearing a flattish hat, a short gown and a cloak. The panel is badly damaged and the hands of the bishop and of the young woman are missing.
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Title | Holy Matrimony (generic title) |
| Materials and techniques | Carved, painted and gilt alabaster |
| Brief description | Alabaster panel depicting Holy Matrimony. English, 15th century. |
| Physical description | A bishop, wearing mitre, chasuble and alb stands in the middle of the panel between a young couple. On his right is a young woman wearing a veil over her head, a gown and cloak. Behind her is another female figure holding a book in her right hand. On the bishop's left is a young man wearing a flattish hat, a short gown and a cloak. Behind him are the head and shoulders of a third female figure. The panel is badly damaged. The hands of the bishop and the arm of the young woman on his right are missing. The head of the bishop has been broken off and repaired. The whole of the top of the panel is missing. The eyes of the bishop have been hollowed out. There are traces of green remaining on the lower ground, and blue on the young man's cloak and red on the cloak's lining. There is a little gilding on the hair of the female figure on the extreme left and on the hair of the bishop. There are traces of gilding on the upper background. The back of the panel bears three holes plugged with lead. The bottom is slightly chipped away. |
| Dimensions |
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| Style | |
| Credit line | Given by Dr W. L. Hildburgh FSA |
| Object history | The panel presumably originally formed part of an altarpiece representing the Seven Sacraments. On loan to the Museum from Dr W.L. Hildburgh since 1936. Given by Dr Hildburgh in 1946. Historical significance: The subject of Holy Matrimony is extremely rare in English alabaster. |
| Subjects depicted | |
| Summary | The subject of Holy Matrimony is extremely rare in English alabaster. The panel presumably originally formed part of an altarpiece representing the Seven Sacraments. A bishop wearing a mitre, chasuble and an alb stands in the middle of the panel between a young couple. On the right there is a young woman holding a book in her right hand and on the left there is a young man wearing a flattish hat, a short gown and a cloak. The panel is badly damaged and the hands of the bishop and of the young woman are missing. |
| Bibliographic reference | Cheetham, Francis. English Medieval Alabasters. Oxford: Phaidon-Christie's Limited, 1984. p. 313 (cat. 239), ill. ISBN 0-7148-8014-0 |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | A.190-1946 |
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| Record created | November 27, 2002 |
| Record URL |
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