Panel with Byzantine Ivory Carving of the Crucifixion

10th century (ivory); late 11th century (setting)

On view at The Met Fifth Avenue in Gallery 304

Byzantine ivories were highly prized in western Europe, where they survived in church treasuries or were incorporated into deluxe book bindings. The ivory from the panel on the left originally formed the center of a Byzantine three-paneled icon. It may have been one of the many gifts to the Nunnery of Santa Cruz de la Serós, which was founded by Queen Felicia (d. 1085), wife of Sancho V Ramírez (r. 1076–94), king of Aragon and Navarre. The sumptuous cover also contains a sapphire seal, located to the right of Saint John, inscribed in Arabic with four of the ninety-nine “Beautiful Names” of God.

Artwork Details

Overview

Provenance

Exhibition History

References

Title: Panel with Byzantine Ivory Carving of the Crucifixion
Date: 10th century (ivory); late 11th century (setting)
Geography: Made in Constantinople (ivory); Made in Aragon, Spain (?) (setting)
Culture: Byzantine (ivory); Spanish (setting)
Medium: Silver-gilt with pseudo-filigree, glass, crystal, and sapphire cabochons, ivory on wood support
Dimensions: Overall: 10 3/8 x 8 5/8 x 1 in. (26.4 x 21.9 x 2.5 cm)
Classifications: Ivories-Horn, Metalwork-Silver, Lapidary Work-Gems
Credit Line: Gift of J. Pierpont Morgan, 1917
Object Number: 17.190.134
Curatorial Department: Medieval Art and The Cloisters

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2770. Book Cover with Byzantine Icon of the Crucifixion

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