Page 38 - Gothic

POrTable sCulPTure

Small carvings, for a mainly lay cover both religious and secular

and often female market, became subjects, and were for church and
a considerable industry in Paris domestic use. Such sculptures were

and some other centres. Types of the work of urban artisans, and

ivories included small devotional the most typical subject for three
polyptychs, single figures, espe- dimensional small staues is the

cially of the Virgin, mirror-cases, Virgin Mary alone or with child.

combs, and elaborate caskets with Paris was the main centre of ivory
scenes from Romances, used as workshops, and exported to most

engagement presents. The very of northern Europe, though Italy

wealthy collected extravagantly also had a considerable production.

elaborate jewelled and enamelled An exemplar of these independent
metalwork, both secular and reli- sculptures is among the collections

gious, like the Duc de Berry’s Holy of the Abbey Church of St Denis;

Thorn Reliquary, until they ran the silver-gilt Virgin and Child
short of money, when they were dates to 1339 and features Mary

melted down again for cash.Gothic enveloped in a flowing cloak hold-

sculptures independent of archi- ing an infantile Christ figure. Both

tectural ornament were primarily the simplicity of the cloak and the
created as devotional objects for youth of the child presage other

the home or intended as donations sculptures found in northern Eu-

for local churches.,although small rope dating to the 14th century and
reliefs in ivory, bone and wood early 15th century. Such sculpture