Book-Cover

Object name: Book-Cover

Date: 1100-1200

Dimensions:

176 x 119 x 5 mm

Medium: Camel bone

Object number: C04142

DescriptionDecorative panel from a book-cover, depicting the death of the Virgin. Graeco Italian school. The Virgin is surrounded by mourning apostles as she lies on her funeral bed, her arms crossed over her chest. On the left, St Peter swings a censor, while on the right, St Paul leans over to kiss the Virgin’s feet. In the middle, Christ holds the Virgin’s soul, which was typically depicted as a small person or a child. Two angels swoop down from the corners, their hands covered in cloth, to receive the Virgin’s soul and bring it back with them to Heaven. This is probably a 12th-century Western European version based on a common Byzantine model.