Pax with the Death and the Assumption of the Virgin

anonymous, anonymous, c. 1490 - c. 1520

During the Middle Ages, it became the custom for the faithful to exchange a kiss during Mass as a sign of atonement and peace. The pax (the Latin word for ‘peace’) was a decorated object with a handle at the rear, which was kissed and then passed on to the next person.

  • Artwork typepax
  • Object numberBK-2003-6
  • Dimensionsheight 21.3 cm x width 12.7 cm x depth 8.2 cm (incl. handle)
  • Physical characteristicsivory

Identification

  • Title(s)

    • Pax with the Death and Assumption of the Virgin
    • Pax with the Death and the Assumption of the Virgin

  • Object type

  • Object number

    BK-2003-6

  • Description

    Paxtafel van ivoor, in reliëf gesneden met de voorstelling van Maria's Sterfbed en Hemelvaart. Maria ligt in een vijftiende eeuws hemelbed, omringd door de apostelen en twee vrouwen. Bovenin wordt zij door vier engelen naar de hemel gedragen. Het geheel is gevat in een gotische, drieledige boog, rustend, aan weerszijden, op dubbele pilasters/pilaren. De achterzijde van de rondgebogen paxtafel is voorzien van een handgreep waarin de letter B is verwerkt.

  • Part of catalogue

Creation

  • Creation

    • ivory carver: anonymous, Low Countries
    • ivory carver: anonymous, Northern France [rejected attribution]
    • ivory carver: anonymous, Paris

  • Dating

    c. 1490 - c. 1520

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Material and technique

  • Physical description

    ivory

  • Dimensions

    height 21.3 cm x width 12.7 cm x depth 8.2 cm (incl. handle)

This work is about

  • Subject

Acquisition and rights

  • Credit line

    Purchased with the support of the Rijksmuseum Fonds

  • Acquisition

    purchase 2003-09-24

  • Copyright

    Public domain

  • Provenance

    …; the dealer J. Dirven, Eindhoven, c. 1964; collection Dirven family, Eindhoven, c. 1964;{Oral communication from J. Dirven to F. Scholten, 2004.} their sale, Amsterdam (Christie’s), 24 September 2003, no. 665, €32,033, to the museum, with the support of the Rijksmuseum Fonds

Documentation

Persistent URL

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  • Pax with the Death and the Assumption of the Virgin
  • Pax with the Death and the Assumption of the Virgin