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Gabled triptych, 3 registers, 1 arch across (Front)

Gabled triptych, 3 registers, 1 arch across (Front)
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Subject
Religious. Saints.

Repository Institution
www.spencerart.ku.edu

To purchase an image
www.spencerart.ku.edu


Lawrence, University of Kansas, Spencer Museum of Art

1969.0048

Ivory

Height: 232mm
Width: 205mm
Depth: 6mm (wings); 9mm (centre)

Wing, left
Register 1: kneeling angel (part of an Annunciation scene).
Register 2: saint John the Baptist holding a scroll with inscription: 'e dei agnus'.
Register 3: saint Catherine of Alexandria with wheel and martyr's palm.Centre panel Crucifixion with thieves; swooning Virgin supported by Holy Women; saint John the Evangelist and onlookers; saint Mary Magdalene embracing the foot of the cross; pelican piercing her chest to feed her young with her own blood; soldiers.
Wing, right
Register 1: seated Virgin (part of an Annunciation scene).
Register 2: unidentified male saint holding a pilgrim's staff.
Register 3: saint Margaret emerging from the dragon, holding a crucifix.
Twisted columns; foliated decoration in the spandrels.

Museum's opinion 2011: Italy (Bologna), 15th century.


Attribution
Unknown

Hinges
Two sets of two modern hinges on either side.

Polychromy - Gilding
Traces of original polychromy, particularly reds, can be found on the helmets of the Roman soldiers and throughout the triptych in the garments of the figures. The spokes of Catherine of Alexandria's wheel are entirely polychromed, rather than carved. Green pigment can be seen lining the cloaks of many figures, particularly the male saints in the upper registers of the wings. Original gilding is present in the painted stars in the background, and as highlights on the garments, crowns and hair of many figures. The scroll held by saint John the Baptist in the left wing bears gilded script with inscription: 'e dei agnus'.

Reverse
Brass clasp on the back, with punched decoration on the washer surrounding the hook on the right wing; eye on the left wing riveted through panel.

Object Condition
The hook at the back has created a noticeable circle of wear on the back of right wing.

Comments
The panels of this triptych may have been cut down, this is suggested by rough saw marks at the top edges of each wing, which have bisected drill holes, which may have held leather hinges, and removed inner corners of the upper register in each wing.

Provenance
Given by Mr. and Mrs Jack Linsky, New York to the Museum in 1954.


Image

© Spencer Museum of Art, University of Kansas, Lawrence.

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