Decade Rosary

Paternoster: Mass of St Gregory (upper), Virgin of the Apocalypse (lower), Ten Ave Beads, Crucifix, and Finger Ring. All the beads have faceted exteriors
Top row of outer roundels on paternoster: Circumcision; Confession; angel musicians
Middle row of outer roundels: arms of England; Cleansing of Naaman (2 scenes); resurrected figures
Bottom row of outer roundels: Trajan and widow; Almsgiving; Christ and woman taken in adultery; baptism; resurrected figures
bead I: St. Matthew and Habakkuk: Last Judgement; Judgement of Solomon

Mass of St. Gregory; Virgin in the Sun

In the upper scene, Christ on the cross appears above the altar while St. Gregory (504-640?), one of the four Latin fathers of the Catholic Church, is saying mass. The miracle signifies the doctrine of transubstantiation (the real presence of Christ in the bread and wine of communion).

In the lower scene, angels crown Mary the Virgin of the Rosary.

from Smith College website

Rosary

The beads are graduated, with the largest being the Paternoster. Each bead has fourteen sides, four of which have space for a scene.
Paternoster bead: St. Judas; Resurrection of the Dead (2 scenes); blank
Ave beads: Each apostle can be identified by a shortened form of his name, his attribute and a scroll containing the initial letters of his part of the Apostles' Creed.
1. St. Peter; The Creation of the Heavens; The Creation of the World; the Creation of the Sun, Moon and Stars
2. St. Andrew; Ecce Homo, Man of Sorrows, Ruler of the World

Mass of St. Gregory; Annunciation

Oblong carving of boxwood; square with arched top:one face with Mass of St Gregory, with two acolytes officiating before altar, on which stands Christ with instruments of the Passion; two bishops to right, two priests to left; other face with Annunciation and two men counting beads before figure of Virgin and Child, patron saint on each side; part of larger carving.

source: British Museum website

Carrying of the Cross; Crucifixion

Polyptych: Upper hemisphere: Crucifixion; left wing: Brazen serpent; right wing: Descent from the Cross, Entombment; outer wings: left: Presentation of the Virgin, right: Marriage of the Virgin; lower hemisphere: Carrying of the Cross with St. Veronica; Medallion: outer: Annunciation; inner: Nativity, Presentation, Annunciation to Joseph, Flight into Egypt, Christ in the Temple

The online catalogue raisonné and digital photography made possible through the generous support of Thomson Works of Art