Whale Bone Cravings, National Museum of Iceland ~ Reykjavik, Iceland
Whalebone Carvings
Whalebone was used to make a variety of objects, as it was both durable and decorative. Small items such as chessmen were generally turned from whalebone, while larger objects were carved.
1. FOUR PANELS, ONE incomplete, Bible scenes carved by farmer Brynjólfur Jónsson of Skarð, south Iceland, around 1600 AD. The complete panels are from Skarð Church but the fragment (A) is from Klausturhólar Church in Grímsnes. PANEL (B), probably from a pulpit, depicting the Resurrection of Christ. At the bottom is the Descent from the Cross, and above it Christ entombed, with armed Roman guards. At the right of the tomb is the risen Christ, stabbing Death with his trophy. Above is the Ascension of Christ: the disciples watch Jesus vanish into the clouds. At the top is Christ embraced by God the Father in Heaven, the Crucifixion, and Christ in Glory as King of Heaven and Earth. ALTAR DOOR (C) with pictures of the Nativity, Circumcision and Baptism of Christ. Christ is also depicted blessing the children, and finally the baptism of an infant. On the posts are Herod, Salome dancing, a soldier beheading John the Baptist, and Salome with St. John's head on a platter. THE PANEL (D) depicts the Adoration of the Shepherds and the Virgin and Child.
2. WHALEBONE LID with Baroque-style carving of a rose and angel, 18th century.
3. WHALEBONE BED PANEL, with a bedtime verse similar to the English prayer: Matthew, Mark, Luke and John, bless the bed that I lie on... Early 18th century.
Whale Bone Cravings, National Museum of Iceland ~ Reykjavik, Iceland
Whalebone Carvings
Whalebone was used to make a variety of objects, as it was both durable and decorative. Small items such as chessmen were generally turned from whalebone, while larger objects were carved.
1. FOUR PANELS, ONE incomplete, Bible scenes carved by farmer Brynjólfur Jónsson of Skarð, south Iceland, around 1600 AD. The complete panels are from Skarð Church but the fragment (A) is from Klausturhólar Church in Grímsnes. PANEL (B), probably from a pulpit, depicting the Resurrection of Christ. At the bottom is the Descent from the Cross, and above it Christ entombed, with armed Roman guards. At the right of the tomb is the risen Christ, stabbing Death with his trophy. Above is the Ascension of Christ: the disciples watch Jesus vanish into the clouds. At the top is Christ embraced by God the Father in Heaven, the Crucifixion, and Christ in Glory as King of Heaven and Earth. ALTAR DOOR (C) with pictures of the Nativity, Circumcision and Baptism of Christ. Christ is also depicted blessing the children, and finally the baptism of an infant. On the posts are Herod, Salome dancing, a soldier beheading John the Baptist, and Salome with St. John's head on a platter. THE PANEL (D) depicts the Adoration of the Shepherds and the Virgin and Child.
2. WHALEBONE LID with Baroque-style carving of a rose and angel, 18th century.
3. WHALEBONE BED PANEL, with a bedtime verse similar to the English prayer: Matthew, Mark, Luke and John, bless the bed that I lie on... Early 18th century.