Triptych, the Adoration of the Magi, carved and polychrome wood, Flemish, 15th century
Screw from the Triptych

triptych of wood with figures and ornaments of cast lead. The altarpiece is dedicated to the Adoration of the Magi. In the centre under the gabled canopy of the stable, the kneeling eldest king - traditionally identified as Caspar - presents the Christ Child with a covered cup. His hat lies on the floor in front of the Virgin, and two pairs of small holes in the back board indicate the position of now-missing domestic fixtures. On the right St. Joseph, wearing thick-soled clogs, holds a staff in his left hand and raises his left hand to his head to pull back his hood. The scene is presented on a raised plinth decorated with five lead stars. On the left wing Melchior is shown holding his hat in his right hand and a covered goblet in his left, and on the right Balthasar holds a gold ciborium in both hands. The two flanking figures both stand on distinctive trilateral pedestals.

Small portable altarpieces of this type were apparently made for private, domestic use. An object of this sort, with its elad ornaments stamped from a mould, would have been mass-produced and was probably intended for sale to a professional or merchant-class, rather than aristocratic customer.

This altarpiece is dedicated to the Adoration of the Magi. These are the three wise men or kings who came to Bethlehem when Jesus was born.The scene is presented on a raised plinth decorated with five lead stars. The eldest king kneels in the centre and presents the Christ Child with a covered cap. He is traditionally identified as Caspar. His hat lies on the floor in front of the Virgin. On the left wing the second king Melchior is shown holding his hat in his right hand and a covered goblet in his left. On the right the third king, Balthasar, holds a gold ciborium (a type of vessel) in both hands Two pairs of small holes in the back board show the position of details that are now missing. These may have been a lamp and a flask.

3264-1856