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The Adoration of the Magi : Edstaston, Shropshire (!Lichfield) Early C.14

Photo: T.Marshall Adoration/Journey of the Magi, Edstaston, Shropshire (65KB)

Of the four figures here, the one at the extreme right, holding a very elaborated floriated sceptre, is almost certainly the Virgin Mary, shown wearing a crown identical to those of the three Magi to the left. The Virgin is often crowned in paintings of this subject, but her sceptre is rarer, and the only other on the site to approach this one for decorativeness is the fleur-de-lys rod in the painting of the Virgin and Child at South Newington. Only the left side of the Virgin is visible now, and the Child was presumably held on her lap further right. There is some starry diapering on the background.

Next to the Virgin at the left is one of the Magi, standing under a rounded painted arch and holding a large goblet-like object in red and dull yellow or off-white (it, like everything else in the painting, would have been much clearer and brighter once). The Magus further left, who has yellow hair and wears a robe with a wide V-shaped neck, is easier to see, although his gift has been reduced to a few meaningless patches of dark pigment. He looks left, at the third Magus, but gestures towards the Virgin Mary at the far right. This third Magus, painted above the upper curve of the superimposed stone memorial, also gestures right, holding a bulbous pear-shaped container with a stopper - for frankincense or myrrh, presumably.

So far as quality is concerned, this is the most accomplished of the paintings at Edstaston, and some details, particularly decorative flourishes like the Virgins sceptre, have a certain elegance. Two other subjects, St. Christopher and St John the Baptist, are at least identifiable, but others are very confused and obscure now. But Edstaston has many other medieval features of interest, including some fascinating early figure carving.

Website for St Mary the Virgin, Edstaston

Links to other Infancy Scenes

Annunciation to the Shepherds/Nativity, Ashampstead, Berkshire Nativity, Corby Glen, Lincs King Herod, with two Magi and other Nativity scenes, Corby Glen, Lincolnshire Nativity/Annunciation to the Shepherds, Wissington, Suffolk Adoration of the Magi, Black Bourton, Oxon.
Adoration of the Magi, Edstaston, Shropshire Nativity/Annunciation to the Shepherds, Faversham, Kent Adoration of the Magi/Presentation in the Temple, Faversham, Kent Adoration of the Magi, Heydon, Norfolk Adoration of the Magi, Pinvin, Worcs
Adoration of the Magi, Salisbury (St. Thomas) Wilts Adoration of the Shepherds/Magi, Thornham Parva, Suffolk Adoration of the Magi/Dream of the Magi, Wissington, Suffolk Three Magi, Burton Dassett, Warwicks. Massacre of the Innocents/Presentation in the Temple, Kelmscott, Oxon.
Flight into Egypt, Croughton, Northants Miracle of the Clay Birds, Shorthampton, Oxon. Baptism of Christ, Black Bourton, Oxon. Infancy Cycle, Brook, Kent Nativity scenes, with Annunication to Shepherds, Hardham, Sussex NEW
Annunciation to the Shepherds/Nativity, Ashampstead, Berkshire Nativity, Corby Glen, Lincs King Herod, with two Magi and other Nativity scenes, Corby Glen, Lincolnshire NEW Nativity/Annunciation to the Shepherds, Wissington, Suffolk Adoration of the Magi, Black Bourton, Oxon.
Adoration of the Magi, Edstaston, Shropshire Nativity/Annunciation to the Shepherds, Faversham, Kent Adoration of the Magi/Presentation in the Temple, Faversham, Kent Adoration of the Magi, Heydon, Norfolk Adoration of the Magi, Pinvin, Worcs
Adoration of the Magi, Salisbury (St. Thomas) Wilts Adoration of the Shepherds/Magi, Thornham Parva, Suffolk Adoration of the Magi/Dream of the Magi, Wissington, Suffolk Three Magi, Burton Dassett, Warwicks. Massacre of the Innocents/Presentation in the Temple, Kelmscott, Oxon.
Flight into Egypt, Croughton, Northants Miracle of the Clay Birds, Shorthampton, Oxon. Baptism of Christ, Black Bourton, Oxon. Infancy Cycle, Brook, Kent Nativity scenes, with Annunication to Shepherds, Hardham, Sussex NEW

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22/12/2002

© Anne Marshall 2002