Crib of the Infant Jesus
Unknown Artist
15th century
Medium
Wood, polychromy, lead, silver-gilt, painted parchment, silk embroidery with seed pearls, gold thread, translucent enamels
Dimensions
13 15/16 x 11 3/8 x 7 1/4 in. (35.4 x 28.9 x 18.4 cm) Other (pillow): 4 1/4 x 6 3/4 x 1 3/4 in. (10.8 x 17.1 x 4.4 cm) Bedcover: 6 7/8 × 6 1/2 × 1/8 in. (17.4 × 16.5 × 0.3 cm) Other (Cavity under thre crib): 2 1/16 × 1 1/8 × 1/4 in. (5.2 × 2.8 × 0.7 cm)
Classification
Woodwork|Sculpture|Textiles-Woven|Metalwork-Reliefs|Enamels-Champlevé
Culture
South Netherlandish
Department
Medieval Art
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Gift of Ruth Blumka, in memory of Leopold Blumka, 1974
Accession Number
1974.121a–d
Tags
Art Historical Context
This exquisite *Crib of the Infant*, crafted by an unknown South Netherlandish in the 15th, is a diminutive marvel of late medieval devotion. Measuring just under 14 inches long, it depicts a tender Nativity scene complete with the Adoration of the Magi and attendant saints, evoking the humility of Christ's birth. Housed in the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Medieval Art department, this rare wooden crib—complete with a separate pillow, bedcover, and even a small cavity beneath for relics—served as a poignant devotional object, likely for private prayer or altar use in a wealthy household or cha...