The Walters Art Museum


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Casket with Scenes from the Passion of Christ

Anonymous (Netherlandish)

ca. 1450 (Late Medieval)

ivory, gilt, bronze, paint

6 5/16 x 12 3/8 x 7 5/8 in. (16.1 x 31.5 x 19.4 cm)

Description
This type of large rectangular box elaborately decorated with scenes depicting either the Passion of Christ or the Life of the Virgin was produced in great quantity in 15th-century Flanders. The artist drew inspiration from contemporary woodcuts, particularly the Bible of the Poor (Biblia Pauperum), a pictorial Bible for the illiterate first produced ca. 1430. This example depicts Christ's Passion. The scenes of Christ's Arrest, his Carrying of the Cross, Entombment, Harrowing of Hell, Resurrection, and Appearance to Mary Magdalene have all been taken from this source.

The carved panels retain much of their original paint and gilding. The gilded bronze lock plate on top is a 17th-century addition.
Additional Information

Acquired by Henry Walters

71.251

Centre Street: Third Floor: The Knight’s Hall

Flemish

Gothic

Flanders


Provenance

Count Girolamo Possenti, Fabriano; Sale, Raphael Dura, Florence, April 1, 1880, no. 38; F. Ongania, Venice; Henry Walters, Baltimore, by purchase; Walters Art Museum, 1931, by bequest.

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