The triptych consists of three porcelain plaques made by the German Konigliche Porzellan-Manufaktur (KPM), based in Berlin. The porcelain plaques are painted after a famous 15th Century triptych, 'The Dombild Altarpiece' by Stefan Lochner (German, c. 1410-1451), which was painted in tempera on oak in c. 1442. The original was commissioned by the city council of Cologne (Köln) for the Cologne Cathedral, where it still hangs today.
The subject of the triptych draws together the patron saints of the city of Cologne in spectacular fashion. The central plaque depicts the Adoration of the Magi, who bear gifts whilst visiting the Virgin and child. The plaque to the left depicts the legend of St Ursula, who is shown amongst the 11,000 holy virgins, together with the Pope and the Bishop of Ravenna. The plaque to the right shows St Gereon as a knight holding a standard in his right hand and accompanied by soldiers from his legion. Both St Ursula and St Gereon were martyred in the city of Cologne.
The three plaques are set within a heavily carved oak frame, which takes an architectural form, with foliate carvings all over. The frame is centred by a pair of doors, which feature a carved oak cross, and open to reveal the triptych. The piece is set on a carved oak wall bracket which takes the form of a raised plinth with further foliate carvings below.
Frame: Height 100cm, width 58cm (doors closed), 80cm (doors open), depth 13cm
Bracket: Height 44cm, width 64cm, depth 14cm
Total: Height 144cm, width 58cm (doors closed), 80cm (doors open) depth 14cm