Trinity in alabaster - England 15th century

This magnificent relief depicting the Trinity is an exemplary example of alabaster production in medieval England.
From the 14th century onwards, England became a major center of alabaster production. Quarried in the Midlands, alabaster was a specialty of Nottingham's craftsmen. In the 15th century, the production of small sculpted and painted panels mainly concerned images for private devotion, or elements for altarpieces. These works were widely exported to the continent, and contributed to the renown of Nottingham's workshops. Following stereotyped models, these reliefs are recognizable by their iconographic subjects, the lean forms of the figures depicted, the conventional faces and the dry, rigid draperies.
The work presented here fits perfectly into this type of English production.
The sculpture can be divided into three parts. The first concerns the six figures symmetrically located on either side of the relief. Two of them are located in the upper part of the relief, their heads turned towards the interior of the composition, their left arms raised and their knees bent. In their hands, they appear to be holding two objects that have not been preserved. Both are wearing long robes and wings.
Two other angels are shown in the middle of the composition, on either side of the Cross. Portrayed in bust form, they collect Christ's blood with small chalices. Finally, the last two angels face each other in the lower part of the composition, below the Cross. Shown kneeling, the two angels also hold a chalice in their hands and collect Christ's blood.
The second part of the relief features a massive representation of God the Father, seated on a throne. He wears a crown on his head, rendered in gold leaf, as do his golden hair and beard. Both hands are raised in a sign of blessing. God wears long clothes with heavy folds.
Finally, the last part concerns Christ, situated between his Father's legs, shown dead on the Cross, with golden hair, long arms and bent legs.
Scenes evoking the Trinity are often found in this Nottingham production. Usually divided into three registers, it shows God the Father seated on a throne, hands raised in a gesture of blessing. He is flanked by two thurifer angels (i.e., incense-bearers), shelters the crucified Christ, and dominates the angels collecting the Son's blood.