David's message to Bathsheba
Mirror Case
ca. 1520-1530 (made)
ca. 1520-1530 (made)
Artist/Maker | |
Place of origin |
This ivory mirror case is carved by an unknown artist, probably in France or the Netherlands, in about 1520-30 and depicts David's message to Bathsheba.
Bathsheba was the wife of Uriah the Hittite and daughter of Eliam, a soldier in King David's army. She was very beautiful and once while bathing caught David's fency. He took her to his palace, where he made love to her. And she later became pregnant by him. David arranged that Uriah should battle at the forefront so that he would be killed easier. David later married Bathsheba.
Ivory combs, together with mirror cases and gravoirs for parting the hair, formed an essential part of the trousse de toilette or étui (dressing case) of the typical wealthy lady or gentleman in the Gothic period.
Gothic ivory mirror backs survive in considerable numbers. The ivory cases themselves, usually between 8 and 14 cm in diameter, consisted of two paired ivory discs (described here as ‘mirror backs’), often with four crawling monsters or lions (or leaves) carved around the outer edge. These ornamental features would transform the circle into a square and make the opening of the case easier, although their vulnerability to breakage is now all too evident.
The majority of the ivory mirror cases and their leather boxes must have been purchased as expensive gifts, to be presented by the wealthy élite to their friends, family and lovers, and often as wedding presents. The subject matter of the mirror backs was almost exclusively secular.
Bathsheba was the wife of Uriah the Hittite and daughter of Eliam, a soldier in King David's army. She was very beautiful and once while bathing caught David's fency. He took her to his palace, where he made love to her. And she later became pregnant by him. David arranged that Uriah should battle at the forefront so that he would be killed easier. David later married Bathsheba.
Ivory combs, together with mirror cases and gravoirs for parting the hair, formed an essential part of the trousse de toilette or étui (dressing case) of the typical wealthy lady or gentleman in the Gothic period.
Gothic ivory mirror backs survive in considerable numbers. The ivory cases themselves, usually between 8 and 14 cm in diameter, consisted of two paired ivory discs (described here as ‘mirror backs’), often with four crawling monsters or lions (or leaves) carved around the outer edge. These ornamental features would transform the circle into a square and make the opening of the case easier, although their vulnerability to breakage is now all too evident.
The majority of the ivory mirror cases and their leather boxes must have been purchased as expensive gifts, to be presented by the wealthy élite to their friends, family and lovers, and often as wedding presents. The subject matter of the mirror backs was almost exclusively secular.
Object details
Categories | |
Object type | |
Title | David's message to Bathsheba (generic title) |
Materials and techniques | Carved elephant ivory |
Brief description | Mirror case, crcular carved ivory, depicting David's message to Bathsheba, probably France or Netherlands, about 1520-1530 |
Physical description | Circular carved ivory mirror case, decorated with a scene depicting David's message to Bathsheba. The king looks from a window in the background. The border is decorated with vine scrolls. The background is hatched. The border and central panel are of two separate pieces. In the foreground the semi-naked Bathsheba, bathing at the fountain, is approched by David's bearded messenger, who passes the king's note to her. David is shown looking out from his battlemented palace behind, in anticipation of her acceptance of his adulterous invitation. |
Dimensions |
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Object history | In the collection of Ralph Bernal, MP (1783-1854), London; purchased at the Bernal sale, Christie & Manson, London, 21 March 1855, lot 1631 (£5 5s). |
Subjects depicted | |
Summary | This ivory mirror case is carved by an unknown artist, probably in France or the Netherlands, in about 1520-30 and depicts David's message to Bathsheba. Bathsheba was the wife of Uriah the Hittite and daughter of Eliam, a soldier in King David's army. She was very beautiful and once while bathing caught David's fency. He took her to his palace, where he made love to her. And she later became pregnant by him. David arranged that Uriah should battle at the forefront so that he would be killed easier. David later married Bathsheba. Ivory combs, together with mirror cases and gravoirs for parting the hair, formed an essential part of the trousse de toilette or étui (dressing case) of the typical wealthy lady or gentleman in the Gothic period. Gothic ivory mirror backs survive in considerable numbers. The ivory cases themselves, usually between 8 and 14 cm in diameter, consisted of two paired ivory discs (described here as ‘mirror backs’), often with four crawling monsters or lions (or leaves) carved around the outer edge. These ornamental features would transform the circle into a square and make the opening of the case easier, although their vulnerability to breakage is now all too evident. The majority of the ivory mirror cases and their leather boxes must have been purchased as expensive gifts, to be presented by the wealthy élite to their friends, family and lovers, and often as wedding presents. The subject matter of the mirror backs was almost exclusively secular. |
Associated object | REPRO.1873-328 (Reproduction) |
Bibliographic references |
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Collection | |
Accession number | 2148-1855 |
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Record created | August 25, 2004 |
Record URL |
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