Artwork
Paternoster Pendant with the Virgin and Child (obverse) and the Meeting of Joachim and Anna at the Golden Gate (reverse)
Paternoster Pendant with the Virgin and Child (obverse) and the Meeting of Joachim and Anna at the Golden Gate (reverse) is an unspecified painting. It dates from 1440 and is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art. This oval pendant features intricate carvings on both its obverse and reverse sides.
About this work
Overview
This oval pendant features intricate carvings on both its obverse and reverse sides. Crafted from a white material, it serves as a devotional object, displaying two distinct biblical narratives. A decorative gold frame encircles the central relief, further embellished by an inscription and a pearl suspended from its base, indicating its function as a personal adornment.
Subject & Meaning
The primary side of the pendant depicts the Virgin Mary tenderly holding the Christ Child, a common theme in Christian art symbolizing divine love and maternal devotion. On the reverse, the scene portrays the Meeting of Joachim and Anna at the Golden Gate, an event from apocryphal tradition that foretells the immaculate conception of Mary. These subjects underscore the pendant's religious purpose.
Technique & Style
The carving exhibits fine detail, particularly in the rendering of drapery. Figures are depicted in long, flowing robes, with the stone skillfully shaped to create soft curves and deep folds, conveying a sense of movement and volume. The craftsmanship extends to the delicate gold frame, which is inscribed, and the small pearl, adding to the pendant's refined aesthetic and preciousness.
Artist & collection
