Gothic Ivories Project | Gabled panels (fragments of a polyptych), 3 registers, 1 arch across (tabernacle) (Front)

Wing, left
Register 1: Annunciation; vase of lilies.
Register 2: Visitation.
Register 3: adoring Magi (part of an Adoration of the Magi scene).
Wing, right
Register 1: Annunciation to the Shepherds; musician shepherd holding bagpipes.
Register 2: Nativity.
Register 3: Presentation in the Temple; Christ standing on the altar between the Virgin and Simeon; crowned Virgin.

Attribution
Unknown

Hinges
Traces of three missing hinges on the inner side of each wing.

Polychromy - Gilding
Extensive traces of polychromy: green (pointed trefoils in the spandrels, spandrels, halos, lily, lining of clothes), red (architectural details).

Reverse
Two labels on the reverse with ink inscription '184'.

Comments
These two wings were the outermost wings, left and right, of a polyptych with a Virgin and Child in the centre.

Provenance
Taylor family, Esh Hall, County Durham: discovered in an iron box upon demolition of Esh Hall in 1857 (Esh Hall originally belonged to the de Esh family and passed to the Smythe's in 1560. In the late 17th century, the Bradshaw's acted as factors and they married into the Taylor family in the early 18th century. Both the Smythe's and the Taylor's were recusants which would explain the hiding of the panels); Daughters of France Mary Taylor (d. 1865); Lady Catherine Berkeley; Maud and Constance Berkeley; vendor's father; Christie's, London, 3 April 1985, lot 56; Christie's, London, 3 July 1985, lot 23.

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