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Three angelic virtues are labelled with the inscription 'Virtus Uranica' (heavenly virtues) and are shown wearing diadems, dalmatic clerical robes and albs with apparels. They hold open books, sceptres and curiously, urine flasks. The inclusion of the urine flask may be a pun on the word uranica or perhaps indicates the virtues' power to perform healing miracles. The scale of the panel suggests it may have been for a domestic setting. The panel would have been one of a series of nine, showing the different hierarchies of Christian angelic beings, according to the beliefs put forward by Pseudo-Dionysius in his sixth century book 'De Coelesti Hierarchia' (On the Celestial Hierarchy). The style of the panel suggests it is likely fifteenth century in date, and possibly English.
Title
The Virtues
Date
1445–1490
Medium
stained glass
Measurements
H 18 x W 15 cm
Accession number
ELYGM:2015.7.2
Acquisition method
purchased from Bonhams, 2015
Work type
Stained glass