# Adoration of the Magi \(detail\) [View the canonical artwork record]() ## Artwork - Artist: [UNKNOWN MASTER, Spanish]() - Date: 1101-1150 - Technique: Walrus tusk, height 34 cm \(entire relief\) ## Commentary Adoration of the Magi \(detail\) c. 1150 Walrus tusk, height 34 cm \(entire relief\) Victoria and Albert Museum, London A natural product, ivory has been widely used in the production of small works of art from the late Classical era onwards. African ivory imported via Venice and other Italian ports was the most commonly used. Of equal importance, however, were the teeth of hippopotami, narwhals, sperm whales and walruses. Even brown rhinoceros horn was so similar to ivory that it was considered an equally valuable resource. The popularity of medieval carvings and sculptures in ivory lasted right into the twelfth century. Apart from the production of small sculptures, ivory found other uses, but these were mainly religious ones for liturgical purposes. ## Related artworks - [Adoration of the Magi]() - [Adoration of the Magi]() - [Altarpiece of the Virgin]() - [Annunciation]() - [Coronation of Mary]() - [Crucifix]() - [Crucifix]() - [Depiction of pilgrims]() - [Doña María de Perea]() - [Don Garcia da Osorio \(detail\)]() - [Don Garcia da Osorio]() - [Façade \(detail\)]() ## Attribution [Web Gallery of Art]()