Historically, tabernacles have been in existence in Egypt since at least the third millenium BC in a variety of forms and materials, and from the Roman period in Egypt some painted wood shutters with hinge-pins still exist. There are also many examples from Italy, North Europe and Byzantium of 10th to 12th century tabernacles in ivory (fig.1), enamel and precious metals.
In 14th century Italy, shutters were usually only found on small paintings, whereas north of the Alps there was a tradition of shutters on both large and small altarpieces
The overall shape of the tabernacle echoes changes that were taking place in the structure of altarpieces in the late 13th and early 14th century, from pictorially framed panels into altarpieces with architectural elements. The influence of Gothic architecture, with its pointed arches, gables, columns and pinnacles is apparent in the Daddi triptych. The Gothic style had spread from Northern Europe, and was found especially in ornamental metal works, such as the S.Galgano reliquary (fig.2).
Fig.1: Ivory tabernacle, late 10th c.
Anon (The British Museum, London)
Fig.2: S. Galgano reliquary, late 13th century
Anon (Museo dell’Opera della Metropolitana, Siena)
