predella
/prɪˈdɛlə/
noun
- A painted or sculpted panel, or a series of panels, forming the lower part of an altarpiece, often depicting scenes related to the main subject.
- The altarpiece's predella shows scenes from the life of Saint Francis.
- The museum displayed the predella separately from the main altarpiece to allow closer viewing.
- Art historians carefully restored the predella, which had been damaged over centuries.