Middle leaf, top panel: Deesis, Christ, Mary and John the BaptistRecto, full view. 28 x 24 cm.
The Harbaville Triptych (Greek: Τρίπτυχο Αρμπαβίλ) is a Byzantine ivory triptych of the middle of the 10th century with a Deesis and other saints, now in the Louvre. Traces of colouring can still be seen on some figures. It is regarded as the finest, and best-preserved, of the "Romanos group" of ivories from a workshop in Constantinople, probably closely connected with the Imperial Court.
The group takes its name from the Romanos and Eudokia ivory plaque in the Cabinet des Médailles of the Bibliothèque nationale de France, Paris showing Christ crowning an Emperor, named as Romanos, and his Empress. This is thought to be either Romanos II, crowned in 959, or possibly Romanos IV, crowned in 1068. Related works are in Rome, the Vatican, and Moscow, this last another coronation probably datable to 944.[1]
Of this "Romanos group" the Harbaville Triptych is considered "by far the finest, for it shows an elegance and delicacy which are absent in the others. All are in the polished, elegant style typical of the Court school."[2] Other groups of ivories have also been identified, presumably representing the output of different workshops, perhaps also employed by the Court, but generally of lower quality, or at least refinement.[3] Since much greater numbers of ivories survive than panel paintings from the period, they are very important for the history of Macedonian art.
All sides of the triptych are fully carved, with more saints on the outsides of the side leaves, and an elaborate decorative scheme on the back of the central leaf.
The ivory's early history is unrecorded. It derives its name from its first known owner, the antiquarian Louis-François Harbaville (1791-1866), who inherited it from his in-laws, the Beugny de Pommeras family of Arras. It was purchased for the Louvre in 1891 from Harbaville's grandsons and heirs.
The HarbavilleTriptych (Greek: Τρίπτυχο Αρμπαβίλ) is a Byzantine ivory triptych of the middle of the 10th century with a Deesis and other saints, now...
Moissac Abbey moves between low and high relief in a single figure. HarbavilleTriptych, Byzantine ivory Side view of mid-relief: Madonna and Child, marble...
and Mars Venus de Milo Venus Genetrix Venus of Arles Winged Lion of Vulci Winged Victory of Samothrace Byzantine HarbavilleTriptych Lampsacus Treasure...
with the Imperial Court, along with the HarbavilleTriptych and Wernher Triptych. The central panel of the triptych has a height of 270 mm and is carved...
with mosaics and icons. Richly-decorated ivory panels, such as the HarbavilleTriptych, indicate the renewal of ivory carving during the period. Examples...
and Mars Venus de Milo Venus Genetrix Venus of Arles Winged Lion of Vulci Winged Victory of Samothrace Byzantine HarbavilleTriptych Lampsacus Treasure...
(Egyptian) The Exaltation of the Flower Bas relief (Greek) [1] HarbavilleTriptychTriptych in ivory (Byzantine) Borghese Vase Krater (Greek) Daniel Pincot...
and Mars Venus de Milo Venus Genetrix Venus of Arles Winged Lion of Vulci Winged Victory of Samothrace Byzantine HarbavilleTriptych Lampsacus Treasure...
and Mars Venus de Milo Venus Genetrix Venus of Arles Winged Lion of Vulci Winged Victory of Samothrace Byzantine HarbavilleTriptych Lampsacus Treasure...
and Mars Venus de Milo Venus Genetrix Venus of Arles Winged Lion of Vulci Winged Victory of Samothrace Byzantine HarbavilleTriptych Lampsacus Treasure...
and Mars Venus de Milo Venus Genetrix Venus of Arles Winged Lion of Vulci Winged Victory of Samothrace Byzantine HarbavilleTriptych Lampsacus Treasure...
and Mars Venus de Milo Venus Genetrix Venus of Arles Winged Lion of Vulci Winged Victory of Samothrace Byzantine HarbavilleTriptych Lampsacus Treasure...
and Mars Venus de Milo Venus Genetrix Venus of Arles Winged Lion of Vulci Winged Victory of Samothrace Byzantine HarbavilleTriptych Lampsacus Treasure...
and Mars Venus de Milo Venus Genetrix Venus of Arles Winged Lion of Vulci Winged Victory of Samothrace Byzantine HarbavilleTriptych Lampsacus Treasure...
second half of the 11th century such as the HarbavilleTriptych and at least two other Byzantine era triptychs, while noting that 10th-century carving was...
and Mars Venus de Milo Venus Genetrix Venus of Arles Winged Lion of Vulci Winged Victory of Samothrace Byzantine HarbavilleTriptych Lampsacus Treasure...
and Mars Venus de Milo Venus Genetrix Venus of Arles Winged Lion of Vulci Winged Victory of Samothrace Byzantine HarbavilleTriptych Lampsacus Treasure...
and Mars Venus de Milo Venus Genetrix Venus of Arles Winged Lion of Vulci Winged Victory of Samothrace Byzantine HarbavilleTriptych Lampsacus Treasure...
and Mars Venus de Milo Venus Genetrix Venus of Arles Winged Lion of Vulci Winged Victory of Samothrace Byzantine HarbavilleTriptych Lampsacus Treasure...
and Mars Venus de Milo Venus Genetrix Venus of Arles Winged Lion of Vulci Winged Victory of Samothrace Byzantine HarbavilleTriptych Lampsacus Treasure...
and Mars Venus de Milo Venus Genetrix Venus of Arles Winged Lion of Vulci Winged Victory of Samothrace Byzantine HarbavilleTriptych Lampsacus Treasure...
and Mars Venus de Milo Venus Genetrix Venus of Arles Winged Lion of Vulci Winged Victory of Samothrace Byzantine HarbavilleTriptych Lampsacus Treasure...
printing using individual ceramic characters. Mid-11th century – HarbavilleTriptych, is made. It is now kept at Musée du Louvre, Paris. Mid-11th century...
and Mars Venus de Milo Venus Genetrix Venus of Arles Winged Lion of Vulci Winged Victory of Samothrace Byzantine HarbavilleTriptych Lampsacus Treasure...
known. But small ivory reliefs, almost all in the iconic mode (the HarbavilleTriptych is of similar date to the Paris Psalter, but very different in style)...
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