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Prayer Bead with the Nativity and the Adoration of the Magi

early 16th century

Not on view

This bead has a protective cover with beautifully rendered, lively images, including a dog, a monkey wearing a collar, and men at work and play. It bears an inscription in Dutch that alludes to the four elements: "Seek where ye will, ye find it here, in the earth, in fire, in water, in the air." Few examples of sixteenth-century Netherlandish silver of this quality have survived.

Prayer Bead with the Nativity and the Adoration of the Magi, Boxwood; gilded silver case, Netherlandish — This image cannot be enlarged, viewed at full screen, or downloaded.

Prayer Bead with the Nativity and the Adoration of the Magi, Boxwood; gilded silver case, Netherlandish

Prayer Bead with the Nativity and the Adoration of the Magi, Boxwood; gilded silver case, Netherlandish

Prayer Bead with the Nativity and the Adoration of the Magi, Boxwood; gilded silver case, Netherlandish

Prayer Bead with the Nativity and the Adoration of the Magi, Boxwood; gilded silver case, Netherlandish

Prayer Bead with the Nativity and the Adoration of the Magi, Boxwood; gilded silver case, Netherlandish

Prayer Bead with the Nativity and the Adoration of the Magi, Boxwood; gilded silver case, Netherlandish

Prayer Bead with the Nativity and the Adoration of the Magi, Boxwood; gilded silver case, Netherlandish

Prayer Bead with the Nativity and the Adoration of the Magi, Boxwood; gilded silver case, Netherlandish

Prayer Bead with the Nativity and the Adoration of the Magi, Boxwood; gilded silver case, Netherlandish

Prayer Bead with the Nativity and the Adoration of the Magi, Boxwood; gilded silver case, Netherlandish

Prayer Bead with the Nativity and the Adoration of the Magi, Boxwood; gilded silver case, Netherlandish

Prayer Bead with the Nativity and the Adoration of the Magi, Boxwood; gilded silver case, Netherlandish

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This image cannot be enlarged, viewed at full screen, or downloaded.

This image cannot be enlarged, viewed at full screen, or downloaded.

This image cannot be enlarged, viewed at full screen, or downloaded.

This image cannot be enlarged, viewed at full screen, or downloaded.

This image cannot be enlarged, viewed at full screen, or downloaded.

This image cannot be enlarged, viewed at full screen, or downloaded.

This image cannot be enlarged, viewed at full screen, or downloaded.

This image cannot be enlarged, viewed at full screen, or downloaded.

This image cannot be enlarged, viewed at full screen, or downloaded.

This image cannot be enlarged, viewed at full screen, or downloaded.

This image cannot be enlarged, viewed at full screen, or downloaded.

This image cannot be enlarged, viewed at full screen, or downloaded.

Title: Prayer Bead with the Nativity and the Adoration of the Magi

Date: early 16th century

Culture: Netherlandish

Medium: Boxwood; gilded silver case

Dimensions: Closed: 1 15/16 × 1 7/8 in. (5 × 4.8 cm)
Open: 3 11/16 × 1 1/2 × 1 in. (9.4 × 3.8 × 2.5 cm)

Classification: Sculpture-Miniature-Wood

Credit Line: Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam, Purchased with the support of the Ebus Fonds/Rijksmuseum Fonds (BK-2010-16-1)

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Medieval Art and The Cloisters at The Met

The Museum's collection of medieval and Byzantine art is among the most comprehensive in the world, encompassing the art of the Mediterranean and Europe from the fall of Rome to the beginning of the Renaissance.