Arkivism
Tabernacle door, relief of gilded copper on oak panels
Public domain

Tabernacle door, relief of gilded copper on oak panels

anonymous · c. 1600 · punching; ciselure; gild; engraving; drijven; copper (metal); gilding (material); velvet (fabric weave); oak (wood)

From the collection of Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam. Free to download, adapt and use — no permission needed.

About this work

The relief is composed of the following five parts: the central scene, which is recessed and surrounded by four border profiles, and the frame. Of these, a projection on the upper left is separately attached to the panel; the wing of the angel in the upper left corner is added. The parts are made of red copper sheet, hammered, chased, engraved, and punched, then gilded on the front. The central scene depicts the Christ Child seated on a cushion, pointing to the dove (the Holy Spirit) surrounded by a halo above him, and greeting the young John the Baptist. The latter kneels to his left, holding a cross-staff in his left hand. To the right of the Christ Child are a scepter, the Lamb of God, and the praying Mary. The background is occupied by a ruin. At the bottom, a blank cartouche surrounded by scrollwork with a vase of flowers on either side. The border profiles are decorated with egg-and-dart and zigzag patterns.

Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam’s own description
Credit lineTabernakeldeur, reliëf van verguld koper op panelen van eikenhout.. c. 1600. anonymous. Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam. Public domain.

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