Shrine

Date1430/1460

MediumIvory, bone over wood, and bone and wood parquetry

ClassificationsSculpture

Dimensions8 1/2 inches (21.59 cm)

Credit LineFounders Society Purchase

Object number23.149

DescriptionFolding shrine consists of an ivory figure of the Madonna holding the Christ Child on her left arm and a branch in her right hand which the Child is touching. She wears a simple crown and robe which falls in swallowtail folds on her left side, wraps over her right arm, and is gathered together at her waist. She stands on a square plinth which rests on a stepped pedestal. An inscription wraps around three sides of the base: "Alma Regina Clemens dolcet." Traces of polychromy and gilding are visible. Above the figures is an arched canopy with a pointed pediment filled with trefoils and edged with curling acanthus leaves. Other architectural details, bricks and elongated oval windows with trefoil glazing, form wall. Hinged wings consisting of sixteen panels, eight per side, flank the figures. Four narrow exterior panels on each wing feature single angels with musical instruments. The inner panels depict scenes from the life of the Virgin. Top to bottom, left side: Meeting of Joachim and Anna; Annunciation; Virgin Mary Praying in the Temple; Virgin Mary Working (weaving?) in the Temple. Top to bottom, right side: Presentation in the Temple; Birth of the Virgin; Visitation; Nativity of Christ. Each panel is arched and has a cross-hatched background. The back of the wings and central box has parquetry inlay in a checkerboard pattern: plain bone squares alternating with wood squares inlaid with bone rosettes. The back of the base is one large quartered square divided diagonally into bone and wood hourglasses.

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