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Cross Fragment of the Mourning Virgin
(Medieval Europe )
This finely worked plaque of the Virgin was originally placed on the left arm of a very large cross. The outer border has decorative characters resembling Arabic known as pseudo-Kufic script. A nearly identical psuedo-kufic border is found on a enamel plaque in London (Victoria and Albert Museum). The two plaques are thought to be from the same cross. The London plaque has an inscription quoting a little known text on St. Stephen of Muret, founder of the Order of Grandmont. This inscription suggests that these plaques were made under the auspices of the Abbey of Grandmont, one of the most influential patrons of Limoges enamellers in the early 13th century.
Inscription
Provenance
Provenance (from the French provenir, 'to come from/forth') is the chronology of the ownership, custody, or location of a historical object. Learn more about provenance at the Walters.
Collection Chappée, Le Mans (?); Brimo De Laroussilhe, Paris, by purchase; Henri Daguerre, Paris, by purchase; Henry Walters, Baltimore, 1927, by purchase; Walters Art Museum, 1931, by bequest.
Exhibitions
| 2016 | Waste Not: The Art of Medieval Recycling. |
| 1979 | Calligraphy in the Arts of the Muslim World. Asia House Gallery, New York; Cincinnati Art Museum, Cincinnati; Seattle Art Museum, Seattle; Saint Louis Art Museum, St. Louis. |
| 1970 | The Year 1200. The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York. |
| 1967 | An Exhibition of the Treasures of The Walters Art Gallery. The Walters Art Museum, Baltimore; Smith College Museum of Art, Northampton; Pace Wildenstein Gallery, New York. |
Conservation
| Date | Description | Narrative |
|---|---|---|
| 11/13/1979 | Examination | examined for condition |
Geographies
France, Limoges (Place of Origin)
Measurements
H: 10 3/8 x W: 6 1/2 x D: 1 3/8 in. (26.4 x 16.5 x 3.5 cm)
Credit Line
Acquired by Henry Walters, 1927
Location in Museum
Accession Number
In libraries, galleries, museums, and archives, an accession number is a unique identifier assigned to each object in the collection.
In libraries, galleries, museums, and archives, an accession number is a unique identifier assigned to each object in the collection.
44.22