The Rest on the Flight into Egypt

Throughout the ages artists and craftsmen have made virtuoso carvings as a display of their skill and ingenuity. Although ivory, wood and stone are relatively easy to carve, other materials such as gemstones are much more demanding. Most of these carvings were made for wealthy patrons and collectors, who delighted in the rarity of the material and quality of the carving. This relief uses two precious materials: amber from the Baltic region and lapis lazuli from Afghanistan. It may have formed part of an altarpiece.

The subject of the scene is the miracle of the palm, which bent down to give its fruit to the Holy Family on their rest on the flight into Egypt. Angels then carried a branch up to Heaven to be planted there.