Miniature Carvings of the Late Gothic: an Exhibition at the Cloisters

(Above) A prayer bead in the form of a skull. Such beads can be snapped open to reveal a miniature scene in each half.

Until May 21 a unique exhibition (Small Wonders: Gothic Boxwood Miniatures) can be seen at the Cloisters in New York. The exhibit includes carved beads (as individual prayer beads or sometimes as part of a large rosary) and miniature altars. The art of such miniatures flourished for only a limited period – say between 1500 – 1536 – and in a limited geographic area – mostly in the Netherlands, with one or two examples from Germany (of course this is modern usage, both countries were at the time within the Holy Roman Empire). Boxwood was a favored material not only because of its suitability for carving but also because it had associations with the Passion and had otherwise symbolic significance. Such beads and altars served to foster private prayer and devotion. Scenes commonly depicted include the Passion, the Nativity, the Mass of St Gregory and in addition a variety of other biblical subjects. “The execution of these prayer beads and diminutive altarpieces is as miraculous as the stories they tell.” (From the notice of the exhibition).

For more details on the Exhibition see HERE.

(Above and below)The scenes contained in the carved beads and miniature altars on display in this exhibit have a diameter or height of only a few inches.

(Above) Miniature altars exhibit the same intricate level of detail that was lavished on the great church altarpieces of that era.

(Above and Below) The Mass of Pope St. Gregory – showing a Eucharistic miracle – was a favorite subject of the boxwood carvers. It also gives us a glimpse of how the mass was celebrated 1500-1530.

(Above) The Mass of Pope St. Gregory as depicted on a bead of the rosary of Henry VIII and Catherine of Aragon.