Adoration of the Magi (Gothic boxwood altarpiece)

[2] Such rarefied and highly ornate objects were intended for private devotion, and took, by modern art historian estimates, decades to complete, periods equivalent to the entire career of a medieval master carver.

[4] The boxwood is held by Wallace Collection in London, where it is describes as "one of the most important works from the mysterious workshop of Adam Dircksz".

The main body (corpus) has two doors that open to reveal three New Testament scenes, creating a triptych sculpture: a central depiction of the Adoration of the Magi;[1] the Nativity of Jesus on the left wing, with the Annunciation to the Shepherds in the background; and a scene combining the Presentation of Jesus at the Temple, the Flight into Egypt, and the Massacre of the Innocents on the right wing.

At the front of the base, below the creation of Adam, is the inscription: "FACIA[MVS] ٠ HO[M]I[N]E(M) ٠ AD ٠ [IMA]GINE[M]",[5] taken from Genesis 1:26 ("Let us make man in our image and likeness".

On the right wing: "TVAM IPSIVS A[N]I[M]AM PERTRANSIET" (Luke 2:35: "your own soul will be pierced"); on the central piece: "VIDEANTES STELLAM MAGI" (Matthew 2:10: "Seeing the star, the wise men"); and on the left wing: "ET TV BETHLE[H]E[M] IVDA / NICLAES"[5] (Matthew 2:6: "And you Bethlehem in the land of Judah / Nicholas").