Trinity, or alabaster throne of grace, Nottingham, 15th century

Seated on a throne, God the Father, crowned is figured blessing with his right hand, and with his left hand supporting the cross on which his Son is crucified.
Known as Nottingham Alabasters, the production of English sculpture from South Derbyshire alabaster takes its name from its most prestigious centre, Nottingham, active from the 14th to 16th centuries.
These works, ranging from altarpiece panels to statues in the round and funerary decorations, were exported throughout Europe, which explains why intact examples are found there, while most of those located in England were destroyed or mutilated during Edward VI's "Putting away of Books and Images Act" in 1549.

The sculpture exhibits the erosion commonly seen on Nottingham alabasters exposed to moisture. Erosion explains the disappearance of the decoration of gilding and painting, but some traces remain. It is likely, as in other examples, that the hair was gilded, the edges of the textiles painted and gilded, and the clothing covered with golden designs.

The Louvre exhibits a Throne of Grace similar to ours, presenting some differences in the treatment of the hair, the presence of the terrestrial orb as well as that of the Dove. In our example, the dove is missing, as is the case in a throne of grace in the Victoria & Albert's Museum, either because it was painted or broken.

Three restorations manifested by veins of a yellower color cross the sculpture, under the neck of the Father, in the center of the sculpture, and in the lower corner.

Alabaster
Nottingham, England
Second half of the 15th century

On a Plexiglas base.
Height of the sculpture: 45.5 cm - Total height: 48.5 cm
Depth of the base: 11 cm - width of the base: 21 cm