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Prayer Bead with the Adoration of the Magi and the Crucifixion

early 16th century
On view at The Met Cloisters in Gallery 14
Carved with astonishingly minute detail, this rosary bead probably was created with the help of a magnifying lens. When opened, it forms a triptych. On the left is the Journey to Bethlehem and the Nativity; in the center is the Journey of the Magi, complete with horses and camels, followed by their Adoration of the baby Jesus and offering of gifts; and on the right is the Presentation of the Child in the Temple at Jerusalem. The Latin inscription is the text of Psalm 71:10, which refers to kings of Arabia and Saba and is associated by Christians with the Magi.

Adam and Eve appear on the outside of the wings. The Crucifixion of Jesus occupies the lower half of the bead.

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • Title: Prayer Bead with the Adoration of the Magi and the Crucifixion
  • Date: early 16th century
  • Culture: Netherlandish
  • Medium: Boxwood
  • Dimensions: Open: 4 7/16 × 3 3/16 × 1 1/16 in. (11.2 × 8.1 × 2.7 cm)
    Closed: 2 5/16 × 2 3/16 × 2 3/16 in. (5.8 × 5.5 × 5.6 cm)
  • Classification: Sculpture-Miniature-Wood
  • Credit Line: Gift of J. Pierpont Morgan, 1917
  • Object Number: 17.190.475
  • Curatorial Department: Medieval Art and The Cloisters

More Artwork

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Prayer Bead with the Crucifixion and Jesus before Pilate, Boxwood, Netherlandish
Prayer Bead with the Crucifixion and Jesus before Pilate
Netherlandish
early 16th century
Half of a Prayer Bead with Jesus Carrying the Cross, Boxwood, Netherlandish
Half of a Prayer Bead with Jesus Carrying the Cross
Netherlandish
early 16th century
Half of a Prayer Bead with the Crucifixion, Boxwood, Netherlandish
Half of a Prayer Bead with the Crucifixion
Netherlandish
early 16th century
Mourning Woman, Walnut, polychromy and gilding, South Netherlandish
Mourning Woman
South Netherlandish
ca. 1480
Miniature Altarpiece with the Crucifixion, Boxwood, Netherlandish
Miniature Altarpiece with the Crucifixion
Netherlandish
early 16th century

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