Half of a Prayer Bead with Jesus Carrying the Cross
Unknown Artist
early 16th century
Medium
Boxwood
Dimensions
2 11/16 × 2 1/2 × 1 5/16 in. (6.8 × 6.4 × 3.4 cm) With attached loop: 2 11/16 × 2 1/2 × 1 5/8 in. (6.8 × 6.4 × 4.2 cm)
Classification
Sculpture-Miniature-Wood
Culture
Netherlandish
Department
Medieval Art
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Gift of J. Pierpont Morgan, 1917
Accession Number
17.190.473a
Tags
Art Historical Context
This exquisite "Half of a Prayer Be with Jesus Carrying the Cross is a masterful example of Netherlandish micro-sculpture from the 16th century. Carved from dense boxwood—a wood prized for its fine grain and ability to hold intricate details—this tiny piece measures just 2 11/16 × 2 1/2 × 1 5/16 inches, yet captures the solemn moment of Christ bearing his cross. The attached loop hints at its original use as part of a rosary bead, strung for personal devotion. Crafted in the Northern Renaissance tradition, such prayer beads (often called "prayer nuts") represent the era's blend of technical v...