The Beginnings of Buddhist Art and Other Essays in Indian and Central-Asian Archaeology c12.39

c12.39

I. — Lower half of an ivory plaque affixed to a Book of the Gospels, which was transferred in 1802 from Metz to the Bibliothèque Nationale, Paris (Ms. latins 10.438; exhibited [cf. *Notice des objets exposés*, Paris, 1881] in glass case XXX under no. 272). On the last page of the ms., in a handwriting of the end of the XVIIIth or the beginning of the XIXth century, there is a note in these terms : « Presented to the Chapter of the Holy Saviour at Metz by Bishop Aldaberon II (died Dec. 14, 1004), son of Duke Frederic and Beatrix, sister of Hugh Capet ». On either side of the Virgin's head are the uncial letters MP and ΘY representing MHTHP ΘEOY, « Mother of God ». For a description of the central figure cf. p. 278 or WESTWOOD, *A Descriptive Catalogue of the Fictile Ivories...* (London, 1876), p. 384. Joseph, of smaller size, sits to the left, deep in thought; to the right stands a female attendant, whose hands are hidden under what looks like a swaddling-cloth.