The Adoration of the Kings Carving replication was completed by London Stone Conservation as a tactile, like-for-like replica for a ‘touch table.’ This initiative illustrates the techniques and craftsmanship involved in producing an alabaster carving. The original piece, carved around 1460, is believed to be part of a composite altarpiece depicting the Life of the Virgin.

Nottingham alabasters played a crucial role in the medieval Church by spreading ideas and information. Carvers from Nottingham specialized in altarpieces, figures, and panels, as the stone was easily transportable from quarries in small blocks. These panels, often carved with religious images, were typically displayed together to form church altarpieces. The brightly colored sculptures brought religious stories to life at a time when literacy was limited, serving as focal points for contemplation and prayer.

The Adoration of the Kings Carving, measuring 445mm x 260mm, closely resembles a panel in an alabaster altarpiece located in La Chapelle de Ker-Maria-an-Isquit, Plouha, Côtes du Nord, France. Both pieces are likely derived from the same design and workshop, though they exhibit variations in execution, with the Plouha panel showcasing more sensitive carving.