Saints and other figures thumbnail 1
Saints and other figures thumbnail 2
Not currently on display at the V&A

Saints and other figures

Casket
12th century-13th century (made)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

This casket is an example of the exchange of artistic ideas between Europe and the Middle East. It was made in Sicily or southern Italy. The painted and gilded decoration includes sirens, birds and Christian saints, all in the local style. But there is also an inscription in Arabic, which expresses good wishes for the owner.

In the medieval period, luxury goods from the Islamic Middle East found a ready market in Christian-ruled Europe. The prestige of these imports was so great that luxury goods made in Europe were often decorated in Islamic styles.


Object details

Categories
Object type
TitleSaints and other figures (generic title)
Materials and techniques
Carved ivory on wood, painted and gilt
Brief description
Ivory casket with Christian imagery as well as a blessing in Arabic, Sicily or southern Italy, 1100-1200.
Physical description
Wooden casket with a truncated pyramidal lid, covered with ivory panels decorated in outline and gilded with medallions containing a seated musician, animals and interlaced ornament; at either end is a siren with a cruciferous nimbus; in front two figures of standing saints holding books and long staves; on the edge of the lid is an inscription in naskhi script. On the ground are scattered bird and foliage designs. With gilt metal mounts.
Dimensions
  • Height: 18.5cm (approximate)
  • Width: 35.3cm
  • Depth: 19.3cm
Marks and inscriptions
Naskhi inscription (On the front)
Translation
'The happiness of a bird and the height of esteem and conditions which point to the proper guidance, and everlasting glory and may the ending be perfect and may glory endure'.
Gallery label
Jameel Gallery Ivory Casket Sicily or southern Italy 1100-1200 This casket is similar to the one on the left, but it has a different link with the Middle East. The painted and gilded decoration includes sirens, birds and Christian saints, all in the local style. But there is also an inscription in Arabic, which expresses good wishes for the owner. Wood faced with ivory panels, painted and gilded, with gilt bronze mounts Museum no. 603-1902(2006-2016)
Object history
Said to be from a church in Bari (Southern Italy); from the Thomas Gibson Carmichael collection, auctioned at Christie, Manson & Woods, London, 12–13 May 1902, lot 10; bought by the museum at auction via the dealers Messrs Durlacher Brothers of 142 Bond Street, London.
Production
Siculo-Arabic
Subjects depicted
Summary
This casket is an example of the exchange of artistic ideas between Europe and the Middle East. It was made in Sicily or southern Italy. The painted and gilded decoration includes sirens, birds and Christian saints, all in the local style. But there is also an inscription in Arabic, which expresses good wishes for the owner.

In the medieval period, luxury goods from the Islamic Middle East found a ready market in Christian-ruled Europe. The prestige of these imports was so great that luxury goods made in Europe were often decorated in Islamic styles.
Bibliographic references
  • List of Works of Art acquired by the Victoria and Albert Museum during the Year 1902 arranged according to the Dates of Acquisition. London: Her Majesty's Stationary Office. Wyman and Sons. 1906. pp.187-8
  • Longhurst, Margaret, H. Catalogue of Carvings in Ivory. I London: The Board of Education, 1929. pp.55
  • Pinder-Wilson, R.H and Brooke, C.N.L. 'The Reliquary of St Petroc and the Ivories of Norman Sicily.' Archaeologia CIV. pp.261-305, pl. LXVI (a) and pp.276
  • Federics e la Sicilia, dalla terra alla cosmo. Palermo. 1995. pp. 162-215.
  • Booms, Dirk and Higgs, Peter, eds. Sicily: culture and conquest, London, 2016, p. 216, fig. 174.
  • Seipel, Wilfried (ed.). Nobiles Officinae: Die königlichen Hofwerkstätten zu Palermo zur Zeit der Normannen und Staufer im 12. und 13. Jahrhundert (Exhibition Catalogue, Vienna, Kunsthistorisches Museum and Palermo, Palazzo dei Normanni). Milan: Skira 2004, cat. no 47
  • Höhl, Claudia, Prinz, Felix and Ralcheva, Pavla (eds). Islam in Europa 1000-1250 (Exhibition Catalogue, Dommuseum Hildesheim). Regensburg: Schnell & Steiner 2022, pp. 233-35, cat. no 53 (Silvia Armando)
Collection
Accession number
603-1902

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Record createdOctober 26, 2004
Record URL
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