Ivories 900-1200

'The Entry into Jerusalem and Christ in the House of Simon', ivory

'The Entry into Jerusalem and Christ in the House of Simon'
Ivory
France (Metz)
About 900
Elephant ivory
Probably from a book cover
Museum no. 257-1867

The upper half depicts the scene when Christ rode into Jerusalem on an ass. He arrived on the Sunday before Good Friday and was welcomed by the citizens with palm branches. In the lower half St Mary Magdalene is shown anointing Christ's feet as he sits with his apostles for a meal in the house of Simon.

'The Transfiguration; Christ Healing the Leper and Christ Healing the Blind Man', ivory

'The Transfiguration; Christ Healing the Leper and Christ Healing the Blind Man'
Ivory
France (Metz)
About 900
Elephant ivory
Probably from a book cover
Museum no. 255, 256-1867

The transfiguration shows the moment when Christ made known his divine nature to his apostles Peter, James and John, in the presence of the Old Testament patriarchs Moses and Elijah. It took place on Mount Tabor in Galilee.

'Christ in Majesty', ivory

'Christ in Majesty'
Ivory
South Netherlands (Liège)
About 1120-30
Elephant ivory
Museum no. 2-1872

'The Annunciation, the Nativity and the Adoration of the Magi'

'The Annunciation, the Nativity and the Adoration of the Magi'
Ivory
Italy
About 1180-1200
Elephant ivory
From the side of a casket
Museum no. A.8-1933
Purchased under the bequest of the late Francis Reubell Bryan

Panel with Animals and Foliage, about 1180-1200. Museum no. A.1-1911

Panel with Animals and Foliage
Northern France
About 1180-1200
Walrus ivory
Museum no. A.1-1911

From the side of a box.

Base for a Cross, about 1170-90. Museum no. 12-1873

Base for a Cross, shown from above
Germany (Cologne)
About 1170-90
Walrus ivory
Museum no. 12-1873

This pyramid-shaped carving, decorated with four grotesque animals, served as a base for a crucifix, which would have been fitted into the slot on the top.

'The Ascension', ivory

'The Ascension'
Ivory
Germany (Cologne)
About 1160-70
Walrus ivory
Museum no. 258-1867

Forty days after his Resurrection, Christ was taken up to heaven in a cloud by angels, leaving behind the apostles and the Virgin. Here the prophet Habakkuk is shown beneath, holding a scroll inscribed in Latin 'The sun is risen'.

The Crucifixion, the Deposition and the Entombment

The Crucifixion, the Deposition and  the Entombment
Italy (Venice)
About 1250-1300
Elephant ivory
Probably from a book cover
Museum no. 5-1872

Scenes from the Life of Christ, about 1150-1300. Museum no. 279

Scenes from the Life of Christ
Byzantium or possibly Italy (Venice)
About 1150-1300
Elephant ivory
Museum no. 279, 280-1867

These panels may have decorated the frame of a large icon or formed part of a reliquary (a container for holy relics, for example, a fragment of bone taken from a saint's body). They depict (from the top left) three Saints, the parable of the Rich Young Man, Christ and the Woman of Samaria, Christ Healing the Blind Man, the Raising of Lazarus, the Healing of the Demoniac, the Deposition from the Cross, the Entombment, the Incredulity of St Thomas, the Charge to the Apostles, the Death of the Virgin, and three Saints.