The Wyvern Collection: Medieval and Renaissance Sculpture and Metalwork (The Wyvern Collection)

This is the first in a series of definitive catalogues of one of the world’s most important, yet rarely seen, private collections of medieval art. Composed of outstanding European sculptures of the Medieval period, as well as some Late Antique and Byzantine pieces and related works of the post-Medieval era, the collection comprises more than 200 objects, almost all from the period 300–1550, made from wood, stone (including alabaster and marble) and terracotta. There are also medieval works of art in metal, mostly consisting of crucifix figures (corpora), and other functional metalware such as aquamanilia (water vessels for the washing of hands) and candlesticks. The earliest object is a Celto-Roman stone head, probably made as a cult object; there are also important Romanesque and Gothic pieces from northern France, Germany, England, Spain and Italy. Other religious objects such as reliquaries and statues display exquisite craftsmanship and hint at the taste of some of the most discerning, wealthy and pious patrons of their times. Each entry includes a full discussion of related pieces and provenance. The book concludes with a useful detailed bibliography. Many of these pieces would be cherished in any of the world’s great museum collections of medieval art, and even the less celebrated pieces open up wider areas of study. This book will enthral all who are intrigued by the material culture of the Middle Ages, and those interested in sculpture and metalwork more broadly.