Pectoral with Christ and the Lamb of God and the Symbols of the Four Evangelists

Art Historical Context

This exquisite pectoral, crafted between 1000 and 1050, is a rare survivor from the early medieval period, likely worn as a devotional pendant by clergy or high-ranking church figures. Carved from walrus ivory prized material sourced from Arctic trade routes via Viking networks—it depicts Christ enthroned with the Lamb God, flanked by the traditional symbols of the Four Evangel: the eagle (John), ox (Luke), and lambs or other motifs evoking divine authority. Gilt-copper sheets add a shimmering golden glow, enhancing its liturgical splendor, while a copper alloy pin allowed it to be fastened to vestments. Hailing from British or North French workshops during the Romanesque era's dawn, the piece reflects the era's fusion of Anglo-Saxon and Carolingian influences, amid monastic reforms and growing pilgrim devotion. Walrus ivory's toughness and creamy translucency made it ideal for intricate relief carving, symbolizing purity and endurance. Its compact size (about 6 inches tall) underscores portable piety in a turbulent age of invasions and faith consolidation. A gift from J. Pierpont Morgan to The Metropolitan Museum of Art in 1917, this pectoral offers a window into medieval spirituality, where art bridged heaven and earth for the faithful.