Ivories 1600-1800: Mythological subjects

The ivories on this page show scenes and figures from classical literature. Two in particular show the shape of the tusk from which the ivory was carved, with the convex form at the back of the relief. The monochrome colouring of material meant that these ivories could ape in miniature the ancient marbles much valued by connoisseurs and collectors of the time.

'The Binding of the Sleeping Silenus', one of Six Bacchanalian Scenes

'The Binding of the Sleeping Silenus', one of  Six Bacchanalian Scenes
Ivory relief
By a follower of François Duquesnoy (1594-1646)
Italo-Flemish
About 1650-1700
Ivory
Museum no. 1059-1853

Duquesnoy was a Netherlandish sculptor who spent most of his working life in Rome and assimilated the classical style. His tender and sensuous reliefs of cupids, satyrs and small children were highly influential.
 

'Bacchanalian Infants Playing Music', one of Six Bacchanalian Scenes

'Bacchanalian Infants Playing Music', one of Six Bacchanalian Scenes
Ivory relief
By a follower of François Duquesnoy (1594-1646)
Italo-Flemish
About 1650-1700
Ivory
Museum no. 1060-1853

Duquesnoy was a Netherlandish sculptor who spent most of his working life in Rome and assimilated the classical style. His tender and sensuous reliefs of cupids, satyrs and small children were highly influential.
 

'Bacchanalian Infants Playing with a Goat', one of Six Bacchanalian Scenes

'Bacchanalian Infants Playing with a Goat', one of Six Bacchanalian Scenes
Ivory relief
By a follower of François Duquesnoy (1594-1646)
Italo-Flemish
About 1650-1700
Ivory
Museum no. 1061-1853

Duquesnoy was a Netherlandish sculptor who spent most of his working life in Rome and assimilated the classical style. His tender and sensuous reliefs of cupids, satyrs and small children were highly influential.
 

'Bacchanalian Infants Playing with a Donkey', one of Six Bacchanalian Scenes

'Bacchanalian Infants Playing with a Donkey', one of Six Bacchanalian Scenes
Ivory relief
By a follower of François Duquesnoy (1594-1646)
Italo-Flemish 
About 1650-1700
Ivory
Museum no. 1062-1853

Duquesnoy was a Netherlandish sculptor who spent most of his working life in Rome and assimilated the classical style. His tender and sensuous reliefs of cupids, satyrs and small children were highly influential.
 

'Bacchanalian Infants Playing with Grapes', one of Six Bacchanalian Scenes

'Bacchanalian Infants Playing with Grapes', one of Six Bacchanalian Scenes
Ivory relief
By a follower of François Duquesnoy (1594-1646)
Italo-Flemish
About 1650-1700
Ivory
Museum no. 1063-1853

Duquesnoy was a Netherlandish sculptor who spent most of his working life in Rome and assimilated the classical style. His tender and sensuous reliefs of cupids, satyrs and small children were highly influential.
 

Bacchanalian Infants Playing with a Satyr, one of six Bacchanalian scenes

Bacchanalian Infants Playing with a Satyr
One of six Bacchanalian scenes
By a follower of François Duquesnoy (1594-1646)
About 1650-1700 
Italo-Flemish
Ivory
Museum no. 1064-1853

Duquesnoy was a Netherlandish sculptor who spent most of his working life in Rome and assimilated the classical style. His tender and sensuous reliefs of cupids, satyrs and small children were highly influential.

'The Death of Cleopatra', Ignaz Elhafen

'The Death of Cleopatra'
Ignaz Elhafen (1658-1715)
Germany
About 1700
Ivory
Museum no. A.22-1949
Given by Dr W.L. Hildburgh FSA

Cleopatra, surrounded by her maids, was bitten by a snake and is shown dying.

'Mercury and Argus', ivory relief

'Mercury and Argus'
Ivory relief
Theodore Xavery
Southern Netherlands
About 1750-60
Ivory
Museum no. A.17-1964

In the story from classical mythology, the all-seeing giant Argus was murdered by Mercury at the instruction of Jupiter. He had been sent by Juno to watch over Io, whom Jupiter wished to seduce.

 

'Jupiter being Nurtured by the Goat Amalthea', ivory relief

'Jupiter being Nurtured by the Goat Amalthea'
Ivory relief
Signed by Ignaz Elhafen (1658-1715)
Germany
About 1700
Ivory
Museum no. A.49-1949
Given by Dr W.L. Hildburgh FSA

Jupiter was reared on a mountainside in order that his father, Cronos, would not swallow him up.