Images of Medieval Art and Architecture
The Treasure of Saint Denis
Ivory Virgin
Images
Adapted from Félibien, Plate II, Item Z
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1931.319
Taft Museum
Cincinnati, Ohio
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Texts
Description
In this space in the second armoire can be seen an image
of Our Lady made of ivory, crowned with a crown of gold decorated with
some precious stones.
Félibien, pages 540. Translated by Jane Vadnal.
Subsequent History
- Taken to the Louvre on December 5, 1793.
- Gold crown sold in 1798 (the presnt crown is a 19th century replacement).
- Given to the Archbishop of Paris in 1802, sold in 1811.
- Entered the collection of Ed. Delacour in 1889
- Sold to G. Lebreton in 1921
- Sold to Mr. and Mrs, Charles Taft of Cincinnati in 1925
- Currently in the Taft Musuem in Cincinnati, Ohio (No. 1931.319)
Louvre, p. 321.
Notes
- Originally part of a statuary group of the Virgin in Glory, along with
the ivory angels later put on the Reliquary
of Saint Placide. (Disassembled by 1634).
- Made of elephant ivory, with traces of gold paint (in hair of both
figures) and polychromy (in belt of Virgin)
- Height, 34.8 cm
- Excellent condition. Arm of Child broken and repaired in the seventeenth
century. Ivory brooch added in nineteenth century to replace an emerald
and gold one (removed before 1634)
Louvre, p. 321. Barnet, pp 125-6.
Bibliography
Félibien, pages 540.
Louvre, no. 45., pp. 231-7.
Detroit Institute of Art, no. 5 and 6, pp 124-6.
Montesquiou-Fezensac, I and II, nos 10-1, III, pp 30-32, pl 13-15.
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Created by J Vadnal, July, 1998
