French Gothic Ivories: Material Theologies and the Sculptor’s Craft

Description

This volume is the first to consider the golden century of Gothic ivory sculpture (1230-1330) in its material, theological, and artistic contexts. Providing a range of new sources and interpretations, Sarah Guérin charts the progressive development and deepening of material resonances expressed in these small-scale carvings. Guérin traces the journey of ivory tusks, from the intercontinental trade routes that delivered ivory tusks to northern Europe, to the workbenches of specialist artisans in medieval Paris, and, ultimately, the altars and private chapels in which these objects were venerated. She also studies the rich social lives and uses of a diverse range of art works fashioned from ivory, including standalone statuettes, diptychs, tabernacles, and altarpieces. Offering new insights into the resonances that ivory sculpture held for their makers and viewers, Guérin's study contributes to our understanding of the history of materials, craft, and later medieval devotional practices. 03.0_pp_iv_iv_Copyright_page 04.0_pp_v_vi_Dedication 05.0_pp_vii_viii_Contents 06.0_pp_ix_xii_Acknowledgements 07.0_pp_xiii_xiii_Notes_on_the_Text 08.0_pp_xiv_xiv_Abbreviations 09.0_pp_1_16_Introduction 10.0_pp_17_60_Ivory_in_the_Gothic_Emporium 1 Ivory in the Gothic Emporium 11.0_pp_61_90_Thrones_of_Wisdom 12.0_pp_91_132_Fleshly_Tablets_of_the_Heart 13.0_pp_133_174_Glorification_of_the_Virgin 4 Glorification of the Virgin: Ivory Palaces and the Assumption 14.0_pp_175_211_Contemplation_and_Desire 15.0_pp_212_255_An_Ivory_Enterprise 6 An Ivory Enterprise: The Yvoirier of the Saint-Sulpice Triptych, 1280–1310 16.0_pp_256_277_Epilogue 17.0_pp_278_307_Bibliography 18.0_pp_308_320_Index