Late Medieval triptych
- Gallery: Room 40
- Culture: Late Medieval
- Made in: England (probably Exeter)
- Date: 1330-1340
- Object type: triptych, religious/ritual equipment
- Materials: ivory (elephant)
- Museum number: 1861,0416.1
- Museum: The British Museum
- Collection record: British Museum website
- Image © The Trustees of the British Museum, shared under a CC BY-NC-SA 4.0 licence.
Listen to the free audio guide
About this object
Before you is a Late Medieval triptych crafted in England around 1330–1340. Made from elephant ivory with silver hinges, this devotional object is both intricate and rich in detail.
The central section of the triptych shows two scenes framed by ornamental arches - the Coronation of the Virgin in the upper register and the Crucifixion below. The side panels each contain two registers with depictions of revered saints: St Paul and St Stephen on one side, and St Peter and St Thomas Becket on the other. These figures are framed within the same decorative ogee arches and surrounded by rosettes and heraldic symbols.
Notably, the triptych is attributed to John de Grandisson, Bishop of Exeter, based on his carved coat of arms. The carving style shows a fascinating resemblance to Italian painted altarpieces of the same era rather than the typical French Gothic style, suggesting a possible influence from Sienese art traditions from Italy.
See it in person
Late Medieval triptych is on display in Room 40 at the British Museum on Great Russell Street, Bloomsbury, London — free to enter. Choose British Museum on audioguide.london and take a photo of it to hear this free audio guide in six languages — no app download needed.
New, in beta. British Museum support has just launched and is still improving: over 1,000 objects so far, with more added all the time.
