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Mirror case - Scenes of love making

Scenes of love making

  • Object:

    Mirror case

  • Place of origin:

    Germany (made)
    Köln (city), Germany (possibly, made)

  • Date:

    2nd quarter of 14th century (made)

  • Artist/Maker:

    unknown (production)

  • Materials and Techniques:

    Carved ivory

  • Museum number:

    220-1867

  • Gallery location:

    Sculpture, room 111, case DR8

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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.

Physical description

Carved ivory mirror case, depicting courting scenes. In the upper part are lovers looking over a balcony surmounted by three trefoil arches; below are three more couples, a lady crowning her lover etc. On the rim are crawling monsters.

Place of Origin

Germany (made)
Köln (city), Germany (possibly, made)

Date

2nd quarter of 14th century (made)

Artist/maker

unknown (production)

Materials and Techniques

Carved ivory

Dimensions

Diameter: 12 cm

Object history note

From the Webb Collection

Descriptive line

Carved ivory mirror case, depicting courting scenes, Germany, 2nd quarter of 14th century

Bibliographic References (Citation, Note/Abstract, NAL no)

Inventory of Art Objects acquired in the Year 1867. Inventory of the Objects in the Art Division of the Museum at South Kensington, arranged According to the Dates of their Acquisition. Vol. 1. London : Printed by George E. Eyre and William Spottiswoode for H.M.S.O., 1868., p. 8.
Longhurst, Margaret H. Catalogue of Carvings in Ivory. London: Published under the Authority of the Board of Education, 1927-1929. Part II. p. 45.
Gaborit-Chopin, Danielle. [Catalogue entry] Avori Medievali. Museo Nazionale del Bargello. Florence: S.P.E.S, 1988. cat. no. 17.

Materials

Ivory

Techniques

Carving

Subjects depicted

Men; Women; Arches; Romantic love; Balconies

Categories

Sculpture

Collection code

SCP

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Qr_O106330
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