Tableman
1050-1100 (made)
Artist/Maker | |
Place of origin |
Board games like 'tables', backgammon, chess and draughts were popular amongst the nobility of medieval Europe. Many surviving games pieces are decorated with fantastic creatures. Here the animal is strange and dream-like, and is probably a two-headed dragon.
The game was popular throughout Northern Europe and the pieces were made in a number of different centres, with the most productive workshops based in Northern France and Cologne. They are to be found in most museums with archaeological collections and difficult to date because of their simple ornament and the unchanging nature of their design.
Board games were considered a chivalrous and gentlemanly pursuit in the Middle Ages, as well as simple fun, since they placed combat between two opponents in a context of rules and sportsmanship, and encouraged strategic thought, and also the ability to win and lose graciously. The design is similar to the playing piece found at Dalcross Castle, now in the National Museum, Edinburgh. Further similar pieces have been found in Scotland and also in Northern France, which of course was also heavily settled by ex-Vikings, the Normans ('Norsemen'), while Brittany had strong Celtic connections. The date of the piece must be around 1090-1150.
Extremely similar pieces have also been found in England, and this raises the question of how widespread was the production of these relatively primitive pieces. It is probable that the present piece was either imported from Norman France or made in London by a workshop responding to the influences of imported pieces.
The game was popular throughout Northern Europe and the pieces were made in a number of different centres, with the most productive workshops based in Northern France and Cologne. They are to be found in most museums with archaeological collections and difficult to date because of their simple ornament and the unchanging nature of their design.
Board games were considered a chivalrous and gentlemanly pursuit in the Middle Ages, as well as simple fun, since they placed combat between two opponents in a context of rules and sportsmanship, and encouraged strategic thought, and also the ability to win and lose graciously. The design is similar to the playing piece found at Dalcross Castle, now in the National Museum, Edinburgh. Further similar pieces have been found in Scotland and also in Northern France, which of course was also heavily settled by ex-Vikings, the Normans ('Norsemen'), while Brittany had strong Celtic connections. The date of the piece must be around 1090-1150.
Extremely similar pieces have also been found in England, and this raises the question of how widespread was the production of these relatively primitive pieces. It is probable that the present piece was either imported from Norman France or made in London by a workshop responding to the influences of imported pieces.
Object details
Categories | |
Object type | |
Materials and techniques | Carved whalebone |
Brief description | Tableman, round carved bone, depicting a beast, probably Anglo-Norman, second half of 11th century |
Physical description | Circular carved bone playing piece carved on the front with a beast like a dragon or griffin, holding a long tail over its shoulder which termiantes in another head. |
Dimensions |
|
Credit line | Given by Mr Harold Bompas |
Object history | Board games were considered a chivalrous and gentlemanly pursuit in the Middle Ages, as well as simple fun, since they placed combat between two opponents in a context of rules and sportsmanship, and encouraged strategic thought, and also the ability to win and lose graciously. The design is similar to the playing piece found at Dalcross Castle, now in the National Museum, Edinburgh. Further similar pieces have been found in Scotland and also in Northern France, which of course was also heavily settled by ex-Vikings, the Normans ('Norsemen'), while Brittany had strong Celtic connections. The date of the piece must be around 1090-1150. Given by Mr. Harold B. Bompas. Historical significance: Extremely similar pieces have also been found in England, and this raises the question of how widespread was the production of these relatively primitive pieces. It is probable that the present piece was either imported from Norman France or made in London by a workshop responding to the influences of imported pieces. |
Production | probably Anglo-Norman or made in London workshop |
Subject depicted | |
Summary | Board games like 'tables', backgammon, chess and draughts were popular amongst the nobility of medieval Europe. Many surviving games pieces are decorated with fantastic creatures. Here the animal is strange and dream-like, and is probably a two-headed dragon. The game was popular throughout Northern Europe and the pieces were made in a number of different centres, with the most productive workshops based in Northern France and Cologne. They are to be found in most museums with archaeological collections and difficult to date because of their simple ornament and the unchanging nature of their design. Board games were considered a chivalrous and gentlemanly pursuit in the Middle Ages, as well as simple fun, since they placed combat between two opponents in a context of rules and sportsmanship, and encouraged strategic thought, and also the ability to win and lose graciously. The design is similar to the playing piece found at Dalcross Castle, now in the National Museum, Edinburgh. Further similar pieces have been found in Scotland and also in Northern France, which of course was also heavily settled by ex-Vikings, the Normans ('Norsemen'), while Brittany had strong Celtic connections. The date of the piece must be around 1090-1150. Extremely similar pieces have also been found in England, and this raises the question of how widespread was the production of these relatively primitive pieces. It is probable that the present piece was either imported from Norman France or made in London by a workshop responding to the influences of imported pieces. |
Bibliographic references |
|
Collection | |
Accession number | A.100-1927 |
About this object record
Explore the Collections contains over a million catalogue records, and over half a million images. It is a working database that includes information compiled over the life of the museum. Some of our records may contain offensive and discriminatory language, or reflect outdated ideas, practice and analysis. We are committed to addressing these issues, and to review and update our records accordingly.
You can write to us to suggest improvements to the record.
Suggest feedback
You can write to us to suggest improvements to the record.
Suggest feedback
Record created | November 18, 2004 |
Record URL |
Download as: JSONIIIF Manifest