Schnitzaltars

Refers to altarpieces produced primarily in Germany, Austria, and the Tyrol in the 15th and 16th centuries. The term means 'carved altarpiece' in German. Schnitzaltars could be located on either the high altar or side altars; they are characterized by being profusely colored and gilded and having four sections: a central shrine containing sculpture, under which is a smaller shrine commonly referred to by the Italian term 'predella,' and two movable pairs of shutters or wings, containing either paintings or relief carvings on both front and back. Opening and closing the wings provided variety, generally relating to the liturgical calendar. The shrine section was typically surmounted by an architectural superstructure of carved tracery and sculpture niches.