Pyx

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Pyx
France; 15th c.?;

The way the lid fastenings are arranged divides the pyx into two semicircular fields, each of which bears a single scene from the Life of Christ and each in a minimal architectural setting. In the scene of the Three Kings the Virgin holds Jesus, His hand raised in blessing, on her lap. Melchior, the oldest, is kneeling and offering his gift, Balthazar is middle aged and points with his hand to Heaven, Gaspar is the youngest. A young man is also shown clothed in a short shirt and, divided from Mary by a post, is an old man his head on his hand.

This scene belongs to the Schauspiel type seen in western Europe after 1300.