Lot 1653 Dα

Nottingham mid-15th century

A mid-15th century Nottingham ivory pentecost relief

Minimal remains of polychromy, presumably original. A pierced high-relief depiction of the crowned Virgin Mary and the twelve Apostles arranged in a symmetrical stacked composition. The youthful figure kneeling opposite Mary can be identified as Christ's favourite disciple Saint John; whilst the attributes of diagonal cross and pilgrim's bag reveal the two outermost figures of apostles to be Saint Andrew and Saint James the Greater. The figures are shown with clasped hands and looking up towards the rays of light originating from the dove of the Holy Spirit which forms the literal and figurative centre of the composition.
The upper left corner cracked. Wear with very minor losses. Mounted on a velvet-bound socle with a back panel. 37.5 x 29.5 x 6 cm.