Text and Image : French Diptych

Text and Image

<p style='text-align: justify;'> Ivory diptych: two carved ivory plaques of equal size, along the inner edge of each panel can be seen holes for the hinges.</p><p><b>Cover 1, left leaf.</b></p><p style='text-align: justify;'> The Annunciation. Each scene is under an arcading of three arches, decorated with rosettes. The Archangel Gabriel (left) with an unfurled scroll, appears to the Virgin, telling Mary she will give birth to Jesus. On the right is the visitation of Mary to her cousin Elizabeth, who is also pregnant with John the Baptist. the two figures are seen to be embracing.</p><p style='text-align: justify;'> The Adoration of the Magi. Under an arcading of three arches, decorated with rosettes a crowned Mary is seated to the right with the Christ child on her lap. The child has his hand raised in blessing. Three figures, two crowned and standing, and one kneeling (with his crown removed) appear on the left paying homage before the baby. </p><p><b>Cover 2, right leaf.</b></p><p style='text-align: justify;'> The Nativity. Each scene is under an arcading of three arches, decorated with rosettes. On the left is the Virgin reclining on a mattress, her arms reaching out towards the Child Jesus in his manger below her. The heads of the ass and ox look up to the manger in which the swaddled Child is resting. Joseph is central to the panel, bearded, with one hand raised he looks towards the mother and child. On the right is the annunciation to the shepherds. An angel with an unfurled scroll delivers the news to two shepherds, their sheep below them in the bottom right corner.</p><p style='text-align: justify;'> The Presentation in the Temple. Each scene is under an arcading of three arches, decorated with rosettes. Mary in the centre, presents her son on a small altar to a bearded priest (Simeon), who holds out his covered hands to recieve him. Behind Simeon stands another male figure. To the left is a female figure holding a scroll, likely to be a depiction of Anna the prophetess. </p>