Pax with the Adoration of the Magi
Enamel plaque with The Adoration of the Magi, set in a gilt bronze Pax

by-nc

Maker

Attributed to
Attributed to
'Monvaerni' Master (enameler)
act. c.1470-1500 (Life dates)

Title

Pax with the Adoration of the Magi
Enamel plaque with The Adoration of the Magi, set in a gilt bronze Pax

Date of Production

1470-1500

Medium

Copper painted in polychrome enamels, within a gilded copper or bronze frame.

Dimensions

Height: 8.9 cm
Height: 18.4 cm

Object Number

O.1966.GP.61

Mode of Acquisition

Gambier-Parry, bequest, 1966

Credit

Courtauld Gallery, London (Samuel Courtauld Trust)

Label Text

This richly decorated object, called a pax, meaning peace in Latin, was kissed by worshippers at the end of church Mass – a practice called the kiss of peace. The Christian subject matter and small size of enamel plaques also made them suitable for devotion in the home, where they often hung at the end of a bed. The artist of this work has not been identified but about 50 enamels are attributed to him. He worked in the French city of Limoges, the centre of enamel production.

Provenance

Information not yet known or updated

Exhibition History

The Gambier-Parry Collection, Courtauld Institute Galleries, London, 1967

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