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An Archbishop among his Choir
Maker: Unknown (Probably)
Rectangular ivory panel. A large figure of a bishop or archbishop stands under a scalloped or shell niche facing the spectator with his right hand raised. On a desk to his left, held at the top in his left hand, is an open book inscribed in Latin 'Ad te levavi animam meam’ (‘Unto thee I have raised my soul’). Above, five deacons stand beneath a similar niche. Before him, three on his right and three on his left and one facing him, stand the canons, those at the sides with their mouths open about to chant. At the top and bottom is a crenalated wall and a pair of towers with round-headed windows. A finely carved border of acanthus frames the scene.
History note: Discovered by Frédéric Spitzer at Schaffausen; Frédéric Spitzer Collection, Paris; sold, Paris, Chevallier, 18th April 1893, Objets d'art et de haute curiosité, Antiques, du Moyen-age and de la Renaissance, Composant l'importante et precieuse Collection Spitzer, catalogue p. 10, lot 45.
Frank McClean Bequest
Depth: 1.2 cm
Depth: 1/2 in
Height: 33.7 cm
Height: 13 1/4 in
Width: 11.4 cm
Width: 4 1/2 in
Method of acquisition: Bequeathed (1904) by McClean, Frank
10th Century, Late
Circa
950
CE
-
Circa
1000
CE
The narrow rectangular format of this panel was derived from late Roman consular diptychs: hinged writing tablets showing the consul performing his duties which he presented to his supporters and friends on entering office. Its date and origin are uncertain, but recent scholarship indicates that it was probably made in the late tenth century, in Lotharingia, the area of modern Lorraine. The bishop or archbishop is about to celebrate Mass with five deacons behind him and in front of him, seven canons singing. The book on the desk is inscribed in Latin with the introit to the Roman Mass for the first Sunday in Advent, beginning 'Ad te levavi animam mean' (Unto thee, I raise my soul), sung as the celebrant processed into the church. His right hand is raised, not in blessing, but to indicate that he is ready to begin the service. The panel probably adorned the cover of a liturgical book such as a gradual, a choir book used in the Mass. Another ivory panel, probably carved in the same workshop, shows the celebrant standing in front of the altar at a later point in the service (Liebieghaus Museum, Frankfurt am Main). See the latest works in 'Documentation' for the most recent interpretations and dating of the panel.
Carving : Ivory, carved
Accession number: M.12-1904
Primary reference Number: 31579
Stable URI
Owner or interested party:
The Fitzwilliam Museum
Associated department:
Applied Arts
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IIIF Manifest
The Fitzwilliam Museum (2024) "An Archbishop among his Choir" Web page available at: https://collection.beta.fitz.ms/id/object/31579 Accessed: 2024-11-15 07:01:20
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{{cite web|url=https://collection.beta.fitz.ms/id/object/31579
|title=An Archbishop among his Choir
|author=The Fitzwilliam Museum|accessdate=2024-11-15 07:01:20|publisher=The
University of Cambridge}}
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<figcaption class="figure-caption text-info">An Archbishop among his Choir</figcaption>
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