Gothic Ivories Project | Diptych, 2 registers, 7 arches across (frise d'arcatures; colonnettes) (Front)

Wing, left
Register 1: Annunciation; vase of lilies; dove of the Holy Spirit. Visitation. Nativity; curtain; angel holding a scroll.
Register 2: Flight into Egypt; Fall of the idols (miracle during the Flight into Egypt). Presentation in the Temple; maid holding a basket of doves brought as offerings; Christ standing on the altar between the Virgin and Simeon.
Wing, right
Register 1: Annunciation to the Shepherds. Adoration of the Magi. Herod ordering the Massacre of the Innocents; a demon whispers in his ear; Massacre of the Innocents.
Register 2: Crucifixion; swooning Virgin supported by Holy Women; saint John the Evangelist and onlookers holding scrolls. Entombment (Anointing of Christ's body); tomb decorated with quatrefoils.
Border of dentils.

Catalogue 1910: French, 14th century.
Koechlin 1924: doubts its authenticity.
Mann 1931: French, 2nd half of the 14th century (?).
Museum's opinion 2009: France, probably 19th century.

Attribution
Unknown

Hinges
Two hinges.

Reverse
Flat and smooth. Modern labels with handwritten inscriptions: 'VIII G/435', '435' (corresponding to the Wallace Collection catalogue number). Label: '6'.

Provenance
Collection of Sir Richard Wallace (by 1890).

Bibliography
E. Molinier, La Collection Wallace (objets d'art). Introduction by Lady Dilke (Paris, 1903 [-04])/A. L. Baldry, The Wallace Collection at Hertford House (London, 1904), p. 247.
Catalogue of the Furnitures, Marbles, Bronzes, Clocks, Candelabra, Majolica,... Miniatures and Objects of Art Generally in the Wallace Collection, 6th ed. (London, 1910), no. 435.
R. Koechlin, Les Ivoires gothiques français (Paris, 1924), II, p. 152.
J. G. Mann, Wallace Collection Catalogues: Sculptures, Marbles, Terracotas and Bronzes, Carvings in Ivory and Wood, Plaquettes, Medals, Coins and Wax-Reliefs (London, 1931 with 1981 supplement), p. 93.

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