Triptych with Virgin and Child and Saints
Unknown Artist
15th century (?)
Medium
Ivory, polychromy, gilding with metal mounts
Dimensions
Overall: 6 1/8 x 5 15/16 x 9/16 in. (15.5 x 15.1 x 1.4 cm) with mount: 7 1/16 x 6 3/8 x 1 5/8 in. (17.9 x 16.2 x 4.2 cm)
Classification
Ivories
Culture
Italian
Department
Medieval Art
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Gift of J. Pierpont Morgan, 1917
Accession Number
17.190.263
Tags
Art Historical Context
This delicate *Triptych with Virgin and Child and Saints crafted by an unknown Italian artist in the 15th century, exemplifies the portable piety of late medieval devotion. Measuring just over 6 inches across when closed, this intimate ivory artwork unfolds into three panels, likely featuring the tender Virgin and Child at the center flanked by revered saints, with motifs of the Cross and Crucifixion ev Christ's passion. Such triptychs were cherished by the faithful for private prayer, easily carried or displayed on an altar. Carved from elephant ivory—a luxurious medium symbolizing purity an...