Ivories 1300-1400: Religious & secular subjects

'Fountain of Youth', comb

'Fountain of Youth', comb, about 1450. Museum no. 231-1867

'A Hawking Party', cover of a set of writing tablets

'A Hawking Party'
Cover of a set of writing tablets
Germany (Upper Rhine)
About 1330-50
Museum no. 249-1867

During the 14th century specialist ivory craftsmen carved both secular and religious objects in great numbers.  Although Paris was the main centre of production, other workshops emerged in Italy and Germany.  Some of the craftsmen may have been trained in Paris as their work often combines French and local styles.  This is the cover of a set of writing tablets.

Mirror Case with the Attack on the Castle of Love, about 1330-50. Museum no. A.561-1910

Mirror Case with the Attack on the Castle of Love
France (possibly Paris)
About 1330-50
Elephant ivory
Museum no. A.561-1910
Salting Bequest

Mirror cases and combs with scenes from the Romance tradition formed an essential part of the dressing case of a wealthy lady or gentlemen.

Mirror Case with Scenes of Love Making, about 1350. Museum no. 220-1867

Mirror Case with Scenes of Love Making
Germany (possibly Cologne)
About 1350
Elephant ivory
Museum no. 220-1867

Mirror cases and combs with scenes from the Romance tradition formed an essential part of the dressing case of a wealthy lady or gentlemen.

'Knight and a Lady hunting', mirror case

'Knight and a Lady Hunting'
Mirror Case
France (possibly Paris)
About 1330-50
Museum no. 222-1867

Mirror cases and combs with scenes from the Romance tradition formed an essential part of the dressing case of a wealthy lady or gentlemen.

Mirror Case with Lovers in the Garden Watched by the God of Love, about 1330-50. Museum no. 221-1867

Mirror Case with Lovers in the Garden Watched by the God of Love
France (possibly Paris)
About 1330-50
Elephant Ivory
Museum no. 221-1867

Mirror cases and combs with scenes from the Romance tradition formed an essential part of the dressing case of a wealthy lady or gentlemen.

'A Bishop between Donors', about 1280-1300. Museum no. 276-1867

'A Bishop between Donors'
North Italy
About 1280-1300
Elephant ivory
Museum no. 276-1867

Mirror cases and combs with scenes from the Romance tradition formed an essential part of the dressing case of a wealthy lady or gentlemen.

'The Crucifixion, the Virgin and Child and Scenes from the Life of Christ'

'The Crucifixion, the Virgin and Child and Scenes from the Life of Christ'
North Italy
About 1325
Elephant Ivory
Museum no. A.556-1910
Salting Bequest

Mirror cases and combs with scenes from the Romance tradition formed an essential part of the dressing case of a wealthy lady or gentlemen.

'Pax', by the Embriachi workshop

'Pax'
By the Embriachi workshop
Italy (possibly Florence)
About 1400-50  
Wood inlaid with marquetry of ebony and bone plaques
Museum no. A.20-1952
Given by Dr W.L. Hildburgh FSA

A pax was used at the end of mass as part of the 'Kiss of Peace' ritual. First the priest would kiss it, then the members of the congregation. The Embriachi family and their workshops continued to produce bone carvings into the 15th century, though ivory carving was then on the wane.