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Prayer Nut with Scenes from the Life of St. James the Greater

Prayer Nut with Scenes from the Life of St. James the Greater

c. 1500–1530

Adam Dircksz

(Netherlandish, active c. 1500)

and Workshop

Boxwood

Overall: 5.8 x 4.8 cm (2 5/16 x 1 7/8 in.)

Purchase from the J. H. Wade Fund 1961.87

Did you know?

This miniature masterpiece was held and caressed within the palm of the holder as they prayed and meditated on their faith. What do you use to focus or engage in quiet concentration?

Description

Prayer nuts or "paternosters" are generally made from boxwood and carved with extreme refinement and delicacy with openwork Gothic tracery. They came into fashion as private devotional accessories in the Netherlands in about 1500 to 1530. About 50 prayer nuts are still known to survive.

See also
Collection: 
MED - Gothic
Department: 
Medieval Art
Type of artwork: 
Sculpture
Medium: 
Boxwood

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