Crucifixion with the Virgin and saint John the Evangelist.
Incised trefoils; crosshatched background.
Randall 1993: Flemish or German, 1st half of the 15th century.
Attribution
Unknown
Reverse
Inside the box are two depressions of different sizes and three slots with ends shaped like trefoils (see the back of Detroit Institute of Art 43.459 for comparison). Inscription on the lower edge: 'XIULLIE [RI?]'.
Object Condition
Two large worn holes for cords to keep the box closed.
Comments
This may have been a painter's box and the slots were probably intended to contain the pigments which were retained here with swivelling straps of ivory, as is indicated by the circular marks around the drilled holes. The open spaces were probably used as palettes (Randall 1993).
Provenance
Gift of John Gellatly in 1929.
Bibliography
R. H. Randall, The Golden Age of Ivory: Gothic Ivory Carvings in North American Collections (New York, 1993), no. 162.
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