Panel
ca. 1420-1430 (made)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
This ivory plaque, made in North Italy (Venice or Lombardia), in about 1420-30, is carved in low relief with the figures of a man and a lady, beneath a gothic arch supported by two columns. Both figures wear long-sleeved robes and are bareheaded; the man grasps the lady's right hand in his left while she holds up a flower in her left. Above the figures is an ornament of three leaves. There are traces of colour.
From about 1320 onwards, ivory caskets featuring secular subject matter began to be produced in substantial numbers, often sharing the imagery to be found on mirror backs. Some of the earlier examples are also some of the grandest, and must have been aimed at a wealthy clientele. The nature of the subject matter, which almost always concentrates on courtly love, chivalry and romance, indicates that the caskets were used for the exchange of courtship and wedding gifts. The most important type among the early caskets was what has become known as the ‘composite’ casket, illustrating more than one secular tale. This group of large and impressive caskets, of which at least eight examples survive, illustrate a variety of secular tales and themes. The primary function was not to stimulate memories of the viewers, but to delight and entertain.
From about 1320 onwards, ivory caskets featuring secular subject matter began to be produced in substantial numbers, often sharing the imagery to be found on mirror backs. Some of the earlier examples are also some of the grandest, and must have been aimed at a wealthy clientele. The nature of the subject matter, which almost always concentrates on courtly love, chivalry and romance, indicates that the caskets were used for the exchange of courtship and wedding gifts. The most important type among the early caskets was what has become known as the ‘composite’ casket, illustrating more than one secular tale. This group of large and impressive caskets, of which at least eight examples survive, illustrate a variety of secular tales and themes. The primary function was not to stimulate memories of the viewers, but to delight and entertain.
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Materials and techniques | Elephant ivory, carved |
| Brief description | Plaque, carved ivory with a man and a lady, beneath a gothic arch, North Italy (Venice or Lombardy), ca. 1420-1430 |
| Physical description | Plaque, ivory, carved in low relief with the standing figures of a man and a lady, facing each other beneath a gothic arch supported by two twisted columns. The man grasps the woman's right hand with his left, while the woman raises a flower in her left hand. Above the figures is an ornament of three leaves. There are traces of colour. From about 1320 onwards, ivory caskets featuring secular subject matter began to be produced in substantial numbers, often sharing the imagery to be found on mirror backs. Some of the earlier examples are also some of the grandest, and must have been aimed at a wealthy clientele. The nature of the subject matter, which almost always concentrates on courtly love, chivalry and romance, indicates that the caskets were used for the exchange of courtship and wedding gifts. The most important type among the early caskets was what has become known as the ‘composite’ casket, illustrating more than one secular tale. This group of large and impressive caskets, of which at least eight examples survive, illustrate a variety of secular tales and themes. The primary function was not to stimulate memories of the viewers, but to delight and entertain. |
| Dimensions |
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| Object history | Described by Hans Semper in 1896 as being in the South Kensington Museum; this must have been a loan, and the plaque probably formed part of the collection of 93 ivory carvings lent to the Museum in 1882 by W.E. Gladstone, who was at that time Prime Minister. Purchased in 1900, from the architect Sydney Vacher, London, with a group of other ivory and bone objects (Mus. nos. 1003 to 1009-1900), for £5. |
| Subjects depicted | |
| Summary | This ivory plaque, made in North Italy (Venice or Lombardia), in about 1420-30, is carved in low relief with the figures of a man and a lady, beneath a gothic arch supported by two columns. Both figures wear long-sleeved robes and are bareheaded; the man grasps the lady's right hand in his left while she holds up a flower in her left. Above the figures is an ornament of three leaves. There are traces of colour. From about 1320 onwards, ivory caskets featuring secular subject matter began to be produced in substantial numbers, often sharing the imagery to be found on mirror backs. Some of the earlier examples are also some of the grandest, and must have been aimed at a wealthy clientele. The nature of the subject matter, which almost always concentrates on courtly love, chivalry and romance, indicates that the caskets were used for the exchange of courtship and wedding gifts. The most important type among the early caskets was what has become known as the ‘composite’ casket, illustrating more than one secular tale. This group of large and impressive caskets, of which at least eight examples survive, illustrate a variety of secular tales and themes. The primary function was not to stimulate memories of the viewers, but to delight and entertain. |
| Bibliographic references |
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| Collection | |
| Accession number | 1004-1900 |
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| Record created | May 11, 2009 |
| Record URL |
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