Alabaster Plaque, The Annunciation, Mechelen – Late 16th/early 17th Century

A carved alabaster plaque with gold highlights depicting the Annunciation, the moment the Angel Gabriel announces to Mary that she is to become the Mother of the Son of God.

The Virgin is shown kneeling before a lectern holding a book. Pausing in her reading, Mary turns humbly toward the Angel Gabriel—seemingly unsettled by the message she is receiving—with her right hand resting upon her chest.

The angel, with wings unfurled, appears to be descending from the heavens, holding a messenger’s staff in the form of a scepter in his left hand.

Adding to the charm of the scene, the composition is set against an architectural backdrop featuring a draped canopy, an antique vase holding polychrome flowers, and the dove of the Holy Spirit amidst the clouds.

A cartouche at the base of the relief bears the gold-lettered monogram "T4T," accompanied by an anchor and a chalice.

This monogram is the signature of the Mechelen sculptor Tobias Tissenaken (active between 1560 and 1624), who, alongside his older brother Rombout Tissenaken, ran one of the city's most important workshops. They undoubtedly played a key role in the growth and organized production of alabaster works in the city.

Mechelen specialized in alabaster sculpture from the mid-16th century through the first half of the 17th century, during the Flemish Renaissance. Unlike slightly earlier domestic altarpieces, these carved devotional reliefs generally date from around 1600. The works depict various themes, most often subjects from the Old and New Testaments. They also feature the lives of saints, mythological scenes, allegories, historical figures, and portraits.

The Annunciation is a favored theme in both Gothic sculpture and early Renaissance statuary.

Ref: *Sculpture from the Southern Netherlands and the Principality of Liège* – Royal Museums of Art and History, Brussels

Dimensions including frame: H. 20.5 cm x W. 17 cm

Dimensions of the alabaster: H. 12.5 cm x W. 10 cm

Mechelen, Flanders

Alabaster with gilding and polychromy

Signed by Tobias Tissenaken (active between 1560 and 1624)

Fine original *pastiglia* frame featuring interlace decoration

Late 16th – early 17th century