Diptychs Triptychs

The diptychs and triptychs presented on this Christian store are religious objects made by the monks of the Saint-Joseph de Clairval Abbey.

Origin of the diptych

Diptych is a Greek word meaning two panels. Originally, diptychs were used to record imperial decrees, and were called codicilary diptychs. They were also offered to mark special occasions, such as New Year's Eve.
Subsequently, the use of diptychs evolved, as each panel was painted or carved with scenes or subjects that complemented each other.

diptychs and Christianity

The earliest known use of the diptych dates back to the 5th century. It was used in the liturgy of the Catholic Church at the Council of Chalcedon in 451. The names of benefactors were inscribed on the diptych and read aloud in order to pray for them. There were also diptychs on which the list of bishops of the diocese was written, as well as the names of popes and patriarchs. It was a sign of communion. The expression "to cross out the diptychs" was used in cases of schism.
Still preserved are 6th-century religious diptychs from the Byzantine Empire, made of ivory and carved in bas-relief, making them veritable objets d'art.
At the same time, the triptych also developed, consisting of three panels; the left and right panels fold into the central panel, which is twice as wide as the side panels.

The religious diptych and Devotio Moderna

With the advent of modern devotion, piety became more individualized, and the personal side of salvation was better emphasized. From then on, sacred images and personal prayers were developed to help this more individual religious practice, to promote pious affections in the soul, to foster prayer and encourage imitation of Christ. In this context, the diptych was an ideal support for this new way of living one's faith. Thus, in the 16th century, the diptych was suddenly popular in Holland, where this new trend in piety, the "modern devotion", was born.

The diptych as a gift

Thanks to our wide selection of diptychs, you'll be able to find the perfect gift for any Christian feast day or religious event. For example, for a young Christian receiving the sacrament of the Eucharist for the first time, or making his or her solemn communion, a diptych in honor of the Virgin Mary or dedicated to the mystery of the Eucharist is just the thing.
The choice of diptychs and triptychs offered by our monastery is quite vast, and it's not possible to go into all the details. We invite you to take the time to view them by scrolling through the various pages.