Front cover of a set of writing tablets with the Nativity and the Adoration of the Magi
The Nativity and the Adoration of the Magi, front cover of a set of writing tablets
Maker
(carver)
Title
Front cover of a set of writing tablets with the Nativity and the Adoration of the Magi
The Nativity and the Adoration of the Magi, front cover of a set of writing tablets
The Nativity and the Adoration of the Magi, front cover of a set of writing tablets
Date of Production
c. 1325-50
Dimensions
Height: 98 mm
Width: 56 mm
Width: 56 mm
Accession Number
O.1966.GP.20
Mode of Acquisition
Gambier Parry, bequest, 1966
Credit
The Courtauld, London (Samuel Courtauld Trust)
Location
Not currently on display
Keywords
Label Text
Carved into the back of this thin panel is a shallow recess to hold a layer of wax. Notes were written into the wax with a sharp instrument called a stylus and could then be wiped away and reused. On the front is the scene of Christ’s Nativity. It recurs with slight variations on many medieval ivories, for example, on the beautiful Passion diptych on the other side of this case.
This thin ivory panel originally functioned as
the cover of a set of writing tablets. It is carved in
the back with a shallow recess to hold wax, which
could be reused by simply smoothing the wax
down. The Nativity scene recurs with slight
variations on many contemporary ivories, as for
example on the Passion diptych in the Courtauld’s collection.
This thin ivory panel originally functioned as
the cover of a set of writing tablets. It is carved in
the back with a shallow recess to hold wax, which
could be reused by simply smoothing the wax
down. The Nativity scene recurs with slight
variations on many contemporary ivories, as for
example on the Passion diptych in the Courtauld’s collection.
Provenance
Information not yet known or updated
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