hands from Bishop

hands from Bishop , possibly 1600s

Where object was made: present-day Germany

Material/technique: wood; carving

Dimensions:
Object Height/Width/Depth (Height x Width x Depth): .01) 9.5 x 9 x 5.5 cm
Object Height/Width/Depth (Height x Width x Depth): 3 3/4 x 3 9/16 x 2 3/16 in
Object Height/Width/Depth (Height x Width x Depth): .02) 12.2 x 8 x 7.5 cm
Object Height/Width/Depth (Height x Width x Depth): 4 13/16 x 3 1/8 x 2 15/16 in

Credit line: Gift of Mr. and Mrs. Hugo Emmerich

Accession number: 1959.0069.RA01,02

Not on display

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Label texts

The Object Feels

These 3D printed hands are modeled after a pair of wooden hands that were once attached to a bishop sculpture made by the School of Riemenschneider around 1500. Both the hands and the bishop are currently on view in the upstairs exhibition The Object Speaks. In the 1980s, medieval art historian Marilyn Stokstad determined that the hands were not original to the sculpture, and were perhaps added in the 1600s. Based on this determination, the Spencer removed the hands from the sculpture. They now function as independent sculptures, positioned upright with the wrists as a base. The right hand appears to be holding something in its palm. This rectangular object extends through the gap of the thumb and pointer finger.

The Object Speaks

These hands were part of the nearby carved bishop figure when the sculpture was donated to the Spencer in 1959. In the 1980s, an expert determined that the bishop’s hands were not original to the sculpture and were perhaps added in the 1600s. Based on this assessment, the Spencer removed the hands from the bishop. These hands are classified as “related accessories” to the bishop sculpture.

Exhibition Label:
“Conversation IV: Construction/Destruction,” Nov-2008, Bertram Lyons
These hands were originally displayed as part of the sculpture of a bishop created by the School of Riemenschneider that is currently on view in the Medieval Gallery. In the 1980s, an expert decided that the hands were not original to the sculpture which was created circa 1500-1510; they were perhaps added in the 1600s. Based on this determination, the Spencer removed the hands from the bishop.