The Adoration of the Magi
Unknown Artist
late 14th century
Medium
Linen and cotton plain weave underlaid with linen plain weave and embroidered with silk and gilt-metal-strip-wrapped silk in bullion, split, and stem stitches, laid work, couching, and couching padded with cotton (couched with linen). Underdrawing and wash in sepia ink. Edging: hemp plain weave
Dimensions
11 7/8 x 17 5/16 in. (30.1 x 44cm) edging width: 5/16 - 5/8 in. (0.8 - 1.6 cm)
Classification
Textiles-Ecclesiastical
Culture
Italian
Department
Robert Lehman Collection
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Robert Lehman Collection, 1975
Accession Number
1975.1.1781
Tags
Art Historical Context
In the late 14th century, Italy's vibrant Gothic era, ecclesiastical textiles like *The Adoration of the* served as luxurious adornments for altars, vestments, or processional hangings in churches. This small panel (11⅞ × 17¼ inches) captures the biblical Nativity scene, with the Magi presenting gifts to the Christ Child, flanked by the Virgin Mary, Joseph, horses, dogs, and birds—evoking the humble stable's lively wonder. Crafted anonymously by skilled Italian embroiderers, it reflects the era's devotion to religious iconography, blending spiritual narrative with opulent craftsmanship to insp...