Left half of a diptych: Adoration of the Magi
Artist/Culture
French
Dateabout 1300–1350
Mediumcarved ivory relief with traces of polychrome
Dimensions12.4 x 9.5 cm (4 7/8 x 3 3/4 in.)
ClassificationsIvories
Credit LineMuseum Purchase
Terms
Object number1919.231
Label TextMedieval diptychs often pair the arrival of the three kings with a scene of the Crucifixion. The juxtaposition of these two events reminded the devout of the honor that greeted Christ's birth and the rejection that surrounded His death.
The arrangement of the Kings and the Mother and Child in this ivory accords well with established French tradition. However, the round faces and the deeply cut folds are unlike Parisian execution. The stylistic changes sugest that the ivory was carved from a French model but in some distant region, possibly South Germany.ProvenancePhilip J. Gentner, FlorenceOn View
On view
