Northern France, second half of the 14th century

Overall the condition of the ivory is very good. There is some minor splitting to the surface consistent with material
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

Pocket-sized ivory diptychs, conveniently hinged to close flat, were produced in large numbers in the 14th century to satisfy the popular demand for portable devotional imagery. The scenes of the glorification of the Virgin, holding the Christ Child, and the Virgin sorrowful at the foot of the cross were frequently paired to juxtapose two great Christian mysteries Christ's Incarnation and Passion and death. The didactic strategy would not have been lost on the worshipper who would have meditated on the relationship between the two scenes. Two diptychs of this schematic type are in the collection of the Louvre. Both are attributed to a Paris workshop in the first half of the 14^th century. The scenes were repeated icon-like with minor variations in the surrounding regions of Northern Europe. The left leaf of the present diptych can be compared to another in the Malcove Collection, Toronto which is published by Randall as Northern French, third quarter of the 14^th century. Unlike the Paris examples the acolytes bear no wings and lean back into the frame.

RELATED LITERATURE
R. Randall, The Golden Age of Ivory: Gothic Carvings in North American Collections, New York, 1993, no. 112, pp. 92-3; D. Gaborit-Chopin, Ivoires médiévaux Ve – XVe siècle, Louvre Museum, Paris, 2003, nos. 162 & 166