Description
Rare bronze matrix engraved in relief depicting the Woman of the Apocalypse. Standing on a crescent, her head crowned with a crown of stars, she carries a child on her right arm, holding a fleur-de-lis scepter in her left hand; framed by phylacteries inscribed with the Bible verse MULIER AMICTA SOLE ET LUNA SUB PEDIBUS EIUS (A woman clothed with the sun and the moon beneath her feet); at each corner is a bust in a medallion wearing various headgear; shield cantoned with foliate foliage at bottom. Two grips on the back. Early 16th century H. 11.2 cm - L. 7.7 cm The inscription is taken from the first verse of chapter 12 of the Book of Revelation: "A great sign appeared in heaven. A woman clothed with the sun and the moon under her feet, and on her head a crown of twelve stars". Various interpretations have been made of this vision, the Woman representing either the Virgin Mary, the New Eve or the Church. The busts in the corners appear to be those of sybils, emperors or biblical figures, as seen in Philippe Pigouchet's early printed books of Hours for Simon Vostre. This plate was probably intended for printing a page in a Book of Hours, as the blank shield could be hand-painted with the commissioner's coat of arms. Few original matrices have survived, and no corresponding prints have been identified.
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Rare bronze matrix engraved in relief depicting the Woman of the Apocalypse. Standing on a crescent, her head crowned with a crown of stars, she carries a child on her right arm, holding a fleur-de-lis scepter in her left hand; framed by phylacteries inscribed with the Bible verse MULIER AMICTA SOLE ET LUNA SUB PEDIBUS EIUS (A woman clothed with the sun and the moon beneath her feet); at each corner is a bust in a medallion wearing various headgear; shield cantoned with foliate foliage at bottom. Two grips on the back. Early 16th century H. 11.2 cm - L. 7.7 cm The inscription is taken from the first verse of chapter 12 of the Book of Revelation: "A great sign appeared in heaven. A woman clothed with the sun and the moon under her feet, and on her head a crown of twelve stars". Various interpretations have been made of this vision, the Woman representing either the Virgin Mary, the New Eve or the Church. The busts in the corners appear to be those of sybils, emperors or biblical figures, as seen in Philippe Pigouchet's early printed books of Hours for Simon Vostre. This plate was probably intended for printing a page in a Book of Hours, as the blank shield could be hand-painted with the commissioner's coat of arms. Few original matrices have survived, and no corresponding prints have been identified.
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