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Christ Enthroned

Panel
second half 16th century (made)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

This is a walrus or mammoth ivory panel made in Russia (Moscow or Novgorod), representing Christ in Majesty. The relief was always intended to be applied to a separate background, probably on a book-cover or reliquary.
Although a Russian origin is assured by comparison with other ivory reliefs and with manuscripts and metalwork, the date of these comparanda ranges over a broad spectrum of time, from the fifteenth to the seventeenth century. A precise dating is therefore not possible, but would most likely have been made in the second half of the sixteenth century.

Object details

Categories
Object type
Titles
  • Christ Enthroned (generic title)
  • Christ in Majesty (popular title)
Materials and techniques
Walrus or mammoth ivory outlined and carved
Brief description
Panel, ivory (walrus or mammoth), Christ in Majesty, Russian (Moscow or Novgorod), probably second half of 16th century
Physical description
Christ enthroned on a broad cushioned throne and with his feet resting on a footstool. His left hand is raised in benediction, and an open book inscribed in Slavonik is on His knee. He is shown bearded and with a cruciform nimbus
Dimensions
  • Height: 8cm
  • Width: 4,9cm
Object history
In the possession of John Webb, London, by 1862 (London 1862, cat. no. 68); On loan to the Museum from 1867; purchased from Webb in 1871 (£10).

Production
Previously thought to be Byzantine and of the 12th century.
Subjects depicted
Summary
This is a walrus or mammoth ivory panel made in Russia (Moscow or Novgorod), representing Christ in Majesty. The relief was always intended to be applied to a separate background, probably on a book-cover or reliquary.
Although a Russian origin is assured by comparison with other ivory reliefs and with manuscripts and metalwork, the date of these comparanda ranges over a broad spectrum of time, from the fifteenth to the seventeenth century. A precise dating is therefore not possible, but would most likely have been made in the second half of the sixteenth century.

Bibliographic references
  • List of Objects in the Art Division, South Kensington, Acquired During the Year 1871, Arranged According to the Dates of Acquisition. London : Printed by George E. Eyre and William Spottiswoode for H.M.S.O., p. 32
  • Longhurst, Margaret H. Catalogue of Carvings in Ivory. London: Published under the Authority of the Board of Education, 1927-1929, Part II, p. 115
  • Maskell, W., A Description of the Ivories Ancient and Medieval in the South Kensington Museum, London, 1872 pp. 139-140
  • Westwood, J O. A descriptive catalogue of the Fictile Ivories in the South Kensington Museum. With an Account of the Continental Collections of Classical and Mediaeval Ivories. London: Eyre & Spottiswoode, 1876 p. 99
  • Williamson, Paul and Davies, Glyn, Medieval Ivory Carvings, 1200-1550, (in 2 parts), V&A Publishing, Victoria and Albert Museum, London, 2014 part II, pp. 870-871
  • Williamson, Paul and Davies, Glyn, Medieval Ivory Carvings, 1200-1550, (in 2 parts), V&A Publishing, Victoria and Albert Museum, London, 2014, part II, pp. 870-871, cat. no. 287
Collection
Accession number
381-1871

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Record createdDecember 30, 2003
Record URL
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