Italian 16th-Century Ebony Relief

Description / Expertise

Carved with Joseph and Potiphar’s wife In original ivory triptych case with silver hasp and hinges.
The story, from Genesis (39:7-20), tells of Potiphar, Captain of Pharaoh’s guard, buying Joseph from the Ishmaelites and appointing him steward to his household.
This relief shows Potiphar’s wife attempting to seduce Joseph who flees,
leaving behind his cloak. On Potiphar’s return, his wife accuses Joseph of trying to violate her, using the cloak as evidence, and Joseph is thrown in prison.
The medieval church saw the episodes in Joseph’s life as a prefiguration of the life of Christ and they form an important theme in Christian art from the 6th century onwards.