Nativity

Object Name

Prayer Bead

Artist/Maker

South Netherlandish

Object Type

Prayer Bead

Date

1500-1525

Medium

boxwood

Credit Line

Thyssen-Bornemisza Collections

Object Number

DEC1688

Location

Not currently on display

Institution/Owner

Thyssen-Bornemisza Collections

Dimensions

Overall Closed: 21.2mm × 57.8mm × 57.5mm (2.1 × 5.8 × 5.8 cm)
Overall Open: 54.3mm × 115.1mm (5.4 × 11.5 cm)

Triptych corpus: Nativity with the Annunciation to the Shepherds in the background as well as three typological Old Testament scenes: Gideon and the Fleece, Moses and the Burning Bush, Aaron and the Flowering Rod; Left wing: eight kneeling figures; Right wing: six kneeling figures presented by two bishops

Signature, Inscriptions, and Markings

Inscription

Carved Latin and Dutch inscriptions around scenes:

[inscribed around central scene]

Et tu, bethle[h]e[m] t[er]ra iuda, neq[uaqua]m minima es i[n] principib[us] iuda Ex te exiet dux q[ui] regat p[opu]l[u]m meu[m] isra[el] [source: Matthew 2:6]

[inscribed around left wing]

Exultent iusti [con]sp[ec]tu dei et delectent[ur] in letitia [source: Psalm 67:4]

martelaere [above kneeling figures on left wing]

[inscribed around right wing]

Iusti a[u]t[em] in perpetuu[m] vive[nt et] apud d[omin]um est mer[ce]s eor[um] [source: Wisdom 5:16]

ofessorn [above figures on right wing]

[source: Radcliffe et al 1992, p 412]

Published References

Anthony Radcliffe et al, Renaissance and Later Sculpture with Works of Art in Bronze (London: Sotheby’s Publications: 1992, pp 412-417); Parker Lesley, Renaissance Jewels and Jeweled Objects from the Melvin Gutman Collection (Baltimore: Museum of Art, 1968, cat. 29);