19th-Century Gothic Revival Antique Plaster Bas-Relief Altar Panel Depicting The Glorification Of The Virgin

A large Gothic Revival bas-relief antique plaster panel depicting The Glorification of The Virgin.

19th Century in date. Understood to have originated from a private chapel, where it was formerly part of a retable.

A retable is a frame or shelf enclosing decorated panels or revered objects above and behind an altar; hence, this panel would have been referred to as “The retable of The Glorification of The Virgin”.

This is one of the most iconic images of Gothic art, where the Virgin Mary stands with the Infant Christ on her arms among adoring angels, usually bearing candles, swinging censers, and carrying incense burners. Aside from the obvious charm of the characters, the relief is distinguished by the depth of detail, with the Virgin standing, full-length, below three Gothic arches (inset too with depictions of God the Father) and such details as the wonderfully elaborate candlesticks and how they are held up to the Virgin by the angels that flank her.

This example is beautifully decorated in polychrome and gilding and is surrounded by a decorative border incorporating hexagonal shapes and crossed lines. For reference, an almost identical pattern can be found decorating the 14th-century “Walsingham Cross”, made from wood, precious stones, and intricate carvings, a significant artefact associated with the Shrine of Our Lady of Walsingham, Norfolk, England. Worthy of a mention, the cross is believed to have been brought to Walsingham in the 14th century and remained there until the shrine’s destruction in the 16th century. It resurfaced in the 19th century and is now housed at the Victoria and Albert Museum in London.

The bas-relief panel has been applied to a gilt-gesso backboard constructed from pine. 

Provenance – Unknown.

Condition – Please refer to the images. There is some surface wear commensurate with age. There is evidence of re-gilding where the panel has been applied to its backboard. A further detailed condition report is available upon request.

Size – H 45 cm x W 33 cm x D 6 cm (17 3/4″ x 13″ x 2 1/2″)