Miniature altarpiece (V&A 225-1866)

The Miniature Altarpiece (or Miniature Altarpiece: Anna Selbdritt)[1][2] in the Victoria and Albert Museum, London, is a small, 9.3 cm high, Gothic boxwood miniature triptych completed in the Netherlands c. 1500-1520. The central carving is made from boxwood and shows a relief of the Virgin and Child attended by two saints, thought to be Anne, who is shown with wings and holding a large crucifix, and James the Great who wears a hat and holds a staff.[3] The outer semi-circular wings and shell are lined with silver[4] and decorated with foliate designs. It stands on a silver plinth with pierced quatrefoils, and topped by a cherub's head and a statuette of God the Father. It is thought the silver-work was added between 1550-1570.[1]

Miniature altar, boxwood and silver, c. 1500–20, Netherlandish. Height: 9.3 cm. Victoria and Albert Museum, London

Two lay figures keel at prayer desks before the saints;[1] presumably there are the object's donors or commissioners.[4] The man is on the viewers left is presented by St. James, the woman is on our right and presented by St. Michael.[1]

The sculpture's dimensions are 89.6 mm × 34.5 mm × 20 mm (3.53 in × 1.36 in × 0.79 in). It has the accession number 225-1866, having been acquired for £14 at the Le Charpentier sale at the Hôtel Drouot on 23 May 1866. There is no record of its provenance before this point. It is not currently on display.[1]