Triptych of Saint-Sulpice du Tarn

Triptych of the Glorious
Virgin
Paris, end of 13th century
Ivory
L. 0.32 m; W. 0.28 m
Saint-Sulpice Church (Tarn)
Cl. 13101

This carving with moving panels reveals the story in six scenes. Scenes from the childhood as well as the Passion of Christ are superimposed in two distinct registers. At the bottom, the glorious Virgin, that is, the Mother and Child (which has since disappeared) is between two angels, with the Magi in adoration to her left. To her right is the Presentation to the Temple. The Crucifixion is framed by the Carrying of the Cross to the left and the Removal of the Body to the right. This triptych offers a preview of the ivory work of the 14th century which saw a multiplication of devotional polyptychs.