Comb with Scenes from the Life of Christ and the Virgin
Unknown Artist
19th century
Medium
Elephant ivory
Dimensions
Overall: 4 7/16 x 5 3/4 x 1/4 in. (11.2 x 14.6 x 0.7 cm)
Classification
Ivories-Elephant
Culture
European (Medieval style)
Department
Medieval Art
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Theodore M. Davis Collection, Bequest of Theodore M. Davis, 1915
Accession Number
30.95.205
Tags
Art Historical Context
This delicate elephant ivory comb crafted in 19th-century Europe in a style, transforms a everyday tool into a devotional treasure Measuring just 4 /16 x 53/4 inches, surface is intricately carved sacred scenes from the life Christ and the Virgin Mary including the Crucifixion the Adoration of the. These vignettes reflect the religious fervor of medieval Christianity where personal objects often served portable reminders of faith. ory combs like this were prized in Europe for their fine craftsmanship with elephant ivory allowing for detail in low relief carving Produced during the 19-century ...