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Jacob Blessing Manasses and Ephraim

Mosan Workshop

Workshop of Godefroid de Huy (Netherlandish)

mid 12th century (Medieval)

champlevé enamel on copper with gilding

2 3/4 x 3 13/16 x 1/8 in. (7.1 x 9.7 x 0.3 cm)

Description
This scene illustrates a passage from Genesis in which the blind Jacob deliberately rests his right hand (the hand of honor) on the head of Ephraim, the younger grandson, and his left hand on Manasses, the elder one. In so doing, Jacob, also called Israel, prophesies the greatness of Ephraim's descendants, interpreted by medieval theologians as the Christian faithful. The plaque was probably part of a "typological" cross--a cross that combines Old and New Testament scenes--in which the crossed arms of Jacob symbolically refer to the crucified Christ.
Additional Information

Acquired by Henry Walters

44.97

Centre Street: Third Floor: Romanesque and Gothic Art

Upper line of text in enamel on either side of central figure's head: IA/COB;
[Transcription] IA/COB; [Translation] Jacob.

Lower line of text over the head of the bowing figure at viewer's left: MANASSES [Transcription] MANASSES; [Translation] Manasses.

Lower line of text in enamel over the head of the bowing figure at viewer's right: EFRAIM; [Transcription] EFRAIM; [Translation] Ephraim

Mosan

Romanesque

east Belgium


Provenance

Pierre Leven, Cologne, by purchase; Sale, J. M. Heberle, Cologne, October 4, 1853, no. ???; Henry Walters, Baltimore, by purchase; Walters Art Museum, 1931, by bequest.

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