In the 16th one C , the moneyed had more than just the medium prayer beads at their garbage disposal during their moments of adoration . in demand boxwood carving render intricate religious scenes in miniature allowed the rich to go religious art powerful in their hands . Until early 2017 , theArt Gallery of Ontariois hosting an exhibition devoted entirely to these tiny hand - carved work of art , asCNNreports .
" Small Wonders : Gothic Boxwood Miniatures " sport more than 60 boxwood miniatures , some of which have never been on display in North America before , like a rosary owned by King Henry VIII and his first married woman , Catherine of Aragon . The wooden carvings have been part of a years - long , external bailiwick using scientific imaging to better understand how they were produced . The study unveil some surprises , like a hidden portrait of a king and nance that went undiscovered for 500 old age .
Prayer bead AGOID.29360 . Image Credit : Courtesy AGO .
Art Gallery of Ontario
The compendium includes prayer beads ( one in theshape of a skull ) , a tongue encrypt with scriptural scenes , medallion , triptych , rosaries , and even sarcophagi . Some date all the way back to the recent 1400s .
The exhibition runs until January 22 , but you may also see high - resolution figure of the entire collection on thegallery ’s website . For more selective information , find out a video with the curator below .
[ h / tCNN ]
