Ivories of the So-Called Grado Chair: Wedding at Cana
Returned to lender
This work of art was on loan to the museum and has since been returned to its lender.The original use and arrangement of these fourteen ivories of the So-called Grado Chair with scenes from the life of Christ, depictions of saints, and of Saint Mark as first bishop of Alexandria remain uncertain. They may have been part of a liturgical throne given by Emperor Heraclius (r. 610–41) to Grado, Italy, after his successful re-conquest of Egypt.
The staggered jars and animated muscular figures convey the artist’s skill in this depiction of water jugs being filled at the Wedding at Cana. Carbon-14 dating of the fragment confirmed that the ivory dates within the timeframe of the exhibition.
The staggered jars and animated muscular figures convey the artist’s skill in this depiction of water jugs being filled at the Wedding at Cana. Carbon-14 dating of the fragment confirmed that the ivory dates within the timeframe of the exhibition.
Artwork Details
- Title: Ivories of the So-Called Grado Chair: Wedding at Cana
- Date: 630-820 (radiocarbon date, 95% probability)
- Geography: Made in Eastern Mediterranean or Egypt
- Medium: Ivory
- Dimensions: 4 7/16 x 3 5/8 x 5/16 in. (11.3 x 9.2 x 0.8 cm)
- Classification: Ivories
- Credit Line: Victoria and Albert Museum, London (A.1-1921)
- Curatorial Department: Medieval Art and The Cloisters