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Mirror case - Lovers in the Garden Watched by the God of Love
  • Lovers in the Garden Watched by the God of Love
    unknown
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Lovers in the Garden Watched by the God of Love

  • Object:

    Mirror case

  • Place of origin:

    France (made)
    Paris, France (possibly, made)

  • Date:

    ca. 1330-1350 (made)

  • Artist/Maker:

    unknown (production)

  • Materials and Techniques:

    Ivory

  • Museum number:

    221-1867

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

Physical description

The scene depicts the God of Love, seated among the branches of a tree, with his legs crossed, holding two arrows which he points at two lovers standing below, to his right, a lady holding a chaplet, and to his left a gentleman holding a bird. These are traditional symbols of amour courtois. The corner terminals of the ivory are formed by bipedal monsters with long ears and tails.

Place of Origin

France (made)
Paris, France (possibly, made)

Date

ca. 1330-1350 (made)

Artist/maker

unknown (production)

Materials and Techniques

Ivory

Descriptive line

Mirror case, ivory, France (possibly Paris), ca. 1330-1350

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

Longhurst, Margaret H. Catalogue of Carvings in Ivory. London: Published under the Authority of the Board of Education, 1927-1929. Part II. p. 47.
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.

Materials

Ivory

Subjects depicted

Romantic love

Categories

Sculpture

Collection code

SCP

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Qr_O111510
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