Carved and originally polychromed. The reverse is flat and contains two holes for attachment.

The polychromy has been removed.

…; donated, with BK-KOG-1337-B and -C, by L.J.F. Janssen (1806-1869), to the Koninklijk Oudheidkundig Genootschap, Amsterdam, 1859; on loan to the museum, since 1885

Object number: BK-KOG-1337-A

Credit line: On loan from the Koninklijk Oudheidkundig Genootschap

This is one of a set of three oak roof bosses (for the other two, see BK-KOG-1337-B and -C). They all consist of a flat background in the shape of a heptagon, the lower point of which is slightly out of plumb. On each of these backings is, in high relief, an angel with outspread wings and raised knees, holding up an escutcheon. Remnants of polychromy indicate that these roof bosses were once completely painted. According to an exhibition catalogue of 1858, they ‘came from the keystones of a vault’.¹¹¬Catalogus van voorwerpen uit vroegeren tijd, exh. cat. Amsterdam (Arti et Amicitiae) 1858, nos. 798-800. Unfortunately, no further information was given about their exact provenance. Their small size suggests they derive from a relatively low vaulted ceiling. In terms of style, the angels – with their compact bodies, fleshy faces and stringy hair – are in keeping with the sculpture of the Northern Netherlands. For example, the middle stile of a richly decorated cabinet from Alkmaar (BK-KOG-656) ends at the bottom in a related, escutcheon-bearing angel (fig. a).²²For this cabinet, see R. Baarsen in H. van Os et al., Netherlandish Art in the Rijksmuseum 1400-1600, coll. cat. Amsterdam 2000, no. 22.

Bieke van der Mark, 2024

J. Leeuwenberg with the assistance of W. Halsema-Kubes, Beeldhouwkunst in het Rijksmuseum, coll. cat. Amsterdam 1973, no. 76, with earlier literature

B. van der Mark, 2024, 'anonymous, Roof Boss with an Angel Supporting an Escutcheon, Northern Netherlands, c. 1490 - c. 1500', in F. Scholten and B. van der Mark (eds.), European Sculpture in the Rijksmuseum, online coll. cat. Amsterdam: https://data.rijksmuseum.nl/20035567