Lamb of God (Agnus Dei). Dragon head. Monster swallowing the base of the volute. Foliated decoration.
Painted foliage and figures around the knop: apostles or saints (?).
Painted inscription: 'AVE MARIA GRATIA PLENA TECUM DOMINUM TECUM BEATA' ('Hail, thou that art highly favored, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women.' Luke 1:28).
Rorimer 1953: Italy (North), early 14th century.
von Philippowich 1961: Italy.
Museum's opinion 2012: Italy (North), early 14th century.
Attribution
Unknown
Polychromy - Gilding
Extensive gilding and polychromy: gold, red and black.
Reverse
Carved in the round.
Object Condition
Polychromy and gilding worn.
Missing: one of the foliated projections.
Comments
This crozier was originally made in sections with threaded ends. The three sections here have been damaged and repaired and are no longer separable. There may have been a fourth section, which is now lost.
Provenance
Collection of Theodor Fischer, Lucerne: purchased for the Cloisters Collection in 1953.
Bibliography
J. J. Rorimer, 'Acquisitions for The Cloisters', in Metropolitan Museum of Art Bulletin, vol. XI (1953), p. 279.
E. von Philippowich, Elfenbein (Brunswick, 1961), p. 130, fig. 171.
E. von Phillipowich, 'Elfenbein. Ein Handbuch für Sammler und Liebhaber', in Bibliothek für Kunst und Antiquitätenfreunde, vol. 17 (Munich, 1982), ill. 260 p. 308, p. 309.
M. E. Fraser, 'Medieval Church Treasures', in Metropolitan Museum of Art Bulletin, vol. XLIII, no. 3 (Winter 1985-1986), pp. 34, 37, ill. 41.
Avori bizantini e medievali nel museo nazionale di Ravenna, ed. by L. Martini and C. Rizzardi (Ravenna, 1990), pp. 83-85, and ill. p. 26 (details).
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