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The Adoration of Magi: M.3-1980

An image of Relief

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Object information

Current Location: Gallery 32 (Rothschild)

Titles

The Adoration of Magi

Maker(s)

Production: Unidentified (Uncertain)

Entities

Categories

Description

Alabaster, carved in high relief, with traces of dark blue paint, and gilding. Almost square. The figures, dressed in sixteenth century costume, are grouped in an architectural setting with a vault over them. In the centre of the vault is a star surrounded by five cherub's heads, flanked by groups of a single angel and three angels reading. There are traces of blue paint in the vault. Below on the left, the Virgin sits on a cushion on a small trunk holding out the standing Christ Child on her left knee. Joseph stands behind her holding a string of beads (a rosary?). An elderly bearded and bareheaded King kneels to the right of the Virgin, holding out a covered vase to the Child. A second bearded King, stands behind him holding a covered cup, and a third, clean-shaven and more youthful stands on the extreme right holding a covered cup. In the spandrels at the top there are groups of leaves. The initials 'A.H. are carved by the Virgin's foot.
Note: Fragment in box in Small Store Case 4/A [08.05.19]

Notes

History note: Purchased from R. van de Broeck, Brussels

Legal notes

Purchased with the Cunliffe, Leverton Harris and Marlay Funds, with contributions from the Regional Fund administered through the Victoria and Albert Museum, and the Eranda Foundation.

Measurements and weight

Depth: 20 cm
Height: 78.5 cm
Width: 68.5 cm

Place(s) associated

  • Malines ⪼ Flanders

Acquisition and important dates

Method of acquisition: Bought (1980) by Broeck, R. van de

Dating

16th Century, Mid#
Production date: circa AD 1540

Note

By 'A.H.'

School or Style

Renaissance

People, subjects and objects depicted

Project

  • Sculpture UK

Components of the work

Decoration composed of gold ( leaf? needs checking) blue pigment

Materials used in production

Alabaster

Techniques used in production

Carving : Alabaster carved in high relief with traces of blue paint and gilding

Inscription or legends present

  • Text: A.H.
  • Location: By Virgin's foot
  • Method of creation: Carved
  • Type: Initials

References and bibliographic entries

Related exhibitions

Identification numbers

Accession number: M.3-1980
Primary reference Number: 31321
External ID: CAM_CCF_M_3_1980
Stable URI

Audit data

Created: Saturday 6 August 2011 Updated: Monday 18 December 2023 Last processed: Monday 18 December 2023

Associated departments & institutions

Owner or interested party: The Fitzwilliam Museum
Associated department: Applied Arts

Citation for print

This record can be cited in the Harvard Bibliographic style using the text below:

The Fitzwilliam Museum (2024) "The Adoration of Magi" Web page available at: https://collection.beta.fitz.ms/id/object/31321 Accessed: 2024-03-28 17:03:08

Citation for Wikipedia

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{{cite web|url=https://collection.beta.fitz.ms/id/object/31321 |title=The Adoration of Magi |author=The Fitzwilliam Museum|accessdate=2024-03-28 17:03:08|publisher=The University of Cambridge}}

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