The Acts of the Apostles recounts how they were infused with the Holy Spirit fifty days after Easter, an event celebrated by the feast of Pentecost. In this plaque, the use of gilding and of enamel over metal foil creates a shimmery effect appropriate to this mystical scene. Along with others of the same dimensions— including three in the main building of the Metropolitan Museum—it once decorated an imposing church furnishing, such as an altar, candlestick, or large cross.
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Title:Plaque with the Pentecost
Date:ca. 1150–75
Geography:Made in Meuse Valley, South Netherlands
Culture:South Netherlandish
Medium:Champlevé and translucent enamel on copper gilt
Dimensions:Overall: 4 1/16 x 4 1/16 x 1/4 in. (10.3 x 10.3 x 0.6 cm)
Classification:Enamels-Champlevé
Credit Line:The Cloisters Collection, 1965
Accession Number:65.105
Inscription: (across base): APOSTOLI (apostles)
(around central figure): SP[IRITU]S / D[OMI]NI (spirit of the Lord)
(top, outside semicircle): DO / M9 [should be DOMUS] (house [Acts 2:2])
(top, inside semicircle): PA / TE[R] (father)
Louis-Fidel Debruge-Duménil French, Paris (sold 1850) ; his sale, Hôtel des Ventes, Paris (January 22-27, 1850, no. 670, to Duchatel) ; Mme. Duchatel, Paris (1850-1851) ; Monsieur Cottreau, Paris (1851) ; sale, Hôtel des Ventes, Paris (December 15-16, 1851, no. 15) ; Sir Francis Scott 1824–1863, England (until d. 1863) ; bequeathed to Birmingham and Midland Institute, Birmingham, England (1863–1965) ; sale, Sotheby's, New York (April 27, 1965, no. 21)
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