The Victoria & Albert Museum has successfully raised £2 million to acquire a rare 12th-century ivory carving of the Deposition of Christ from the Cross. This significant piece, once at risk of leaving the United Kingdom, will now join the V&A’s permanent collection.
Dating back to around 1190-1200 and likely crafted in York, the Deposition from the Cross is a testament to the craftsmanship and taste of high society in the north of England during the late 12th century. It depicts the moment Christ’s body is lifted from the cross by Joseph of Arimathea. Renowned for its masterful ivory carving and its portrayal of human suffering, empathy, and compassion, this piece offers a rare glimpse into medieval English art and culture.
Despite the widespread destruction of religious art during the English Reformation, the Deposition has survived, making it an invaluable resource for studying cultural heritage. It ranks alongside other 12th-century Romanesque treasures in the V&A’s collection, such as the Gloucester Candlestick and the Becket Casket.
The ivory carving was previously on long-term loan to the V&A, but it was then sold at auction to The Metropolitan Museum of Art. However, the British government issued a temporary export bar last November to give the V&A time to raise £2 million so they could purchase it instead.
The successful acquisition was made possible through a generous £700,000 grant from the National Heritage Memorial Fund and a £350,000 grant from Art Fund. The national public appeal also saw support from grant-making organizations, individual donors, members of the V&A.
“I am thrilled that the V&A has been able to save this elemental object of English art for the nation,” commented Dr. Tristram Hunt, Director of the V&A. “In this small, sublime carving is captured a lost story of Christian culture, Romanesque design and medieval craftsmanship. I am hugely grateful to everyone who so generously contributed to secure this wondrous piece for the national collection.”
The Deposition from the Cross will enter the V&A’s permanent collection and return to public display later this year in the Medieval and Renaissance galleries. It will be reunited with the only known surviving piece believed to be from the same ensemble, a fragmentary ivory carving of Judas at the Last Supper, discovered in Wakefield in the 18th century and given to the V&A in 1949. These carvings likely once formed part of a larger work depicting scenes from the Passion of Christ.
Top Image: Photo courtesy UK Department for Culture, Media and Sport
The Victoria & Albert Museum has successfully raised £2 million to acquire a rare 12th-century ivory carving of the Deposition of Christ from the Cross. This significant piece, once at risk of leaving the United Kingdom, will now join the V&A’s permanent collection.
Dating back to around 1190-1200 and likely crafted in York, the Deposition from the Cross is a testament to the craftsmanship and taste of high society in the north of England during the late 12th century. It depicts the moment Christ’s body is lifted from the cross by Joseph of Arimathea. Renowned for its masterful ivory carving and its portrayal of human suffering, empathy, and compassion, this piece offers a rare glimpse into medieval English art and culture.
Despite the widespread destruction of religious art during the English Reformation, the Deposition has survived, making it an invaluable resource for studying cultural heritage. It ranks alongside other 12th-century Romanesque treasures in the V&A’s collection, such as the Gloucester Candlestick and the Becket Casket.
The ivory carving was previously on long-term loan to the V&A, but it was then sold at auction to The Metropolitan Museum of Art. However, the British government issued a temporary export bar last November to give the V&A time to raise £2 million so they could purchase it instead.
The successful acquisition was made possible through a generous £700,000 grant from the National Heritage Memorial Fund and a £350,000 grant from Art Fund. The national public appeal also saw support from grant-making organizations, individual donors, members of the V&A.
“I am thrilled that the V&A has been able to save this elemental object of English art for the nation,” commented Dr. Tristram Hunt, Director of the V&A. “In this small, sublime carving is captured a lost story of Christian culture, Romanesque design and medieval craftsmanship. I am hugely grateful to everyone who so generously contributed to secure this wondrous piece for the national collection.”
The Deposition from the Cross will enter the V&A’s permanent collection and return to public display later this year in the Medieval and Renaissance galleries. It will be reunited with the only known surviving piece believed to be from the same ensemble, a fragmentary ivory carving of Judas at the Last Supper, discovered in Wakefield in the 18th century and given to the V&A in 1949. These carvings likely once formed part of a larger work depicting scenes from the Passion of Christ.
Top Image: Photo courtesy UK Department for Culture, Media and Sport
Related Posts
Subscribe to Medievalverse