A 16th-century boxwood masterpiece that functions as both a devotional tool and a toy.
In short: Discover a portable miniature tabernacle from the northern Netherlands. This intricate boxwood microcarving unfolds like a flower to reveal detailed scenes from the life of Jesus Christ, blending religious devotion with masterful craftsmanship.
Created around 1510, this portable shrine is a testament to the virtuoso skill of northern Netherlandish carvers. The object is designed to be disassembled into three primary sections, allowing the viewer to interact with the piece as both a serious aid to prayer and a sophisticated plaything.
Curator Dora Thornton examines how this complex mechanism functions, highlighting the technical precision required to carve such minute detail into boxwood. By unfolding the structure, the user reveals a narrative sequence that brings the life of Jesus Christ to life in a remarkably compact form.
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Sources
- Summary by Intellect · source: Playful in prayer? A miniature tabernacle
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