Not currently on display at the V&A

Box with scene of a monk and lady at a table

Box
ca. 1750 (made)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

This shallow rectangular box may have been used for cards. On the lid is a satirical scene depicting a monk and a lady at a table with a wine flask and goblets. The monk is shown chucking the lady under the chin while a dog seizes some food from the table. The dress and scene are eighteenth-century in style, although the carving is poor, and this may be a later pastiche, probably dating from the mid nineteenth century. The composition probably derives from a print, and was probably carved in the Netherlands.


Object details

Categories
Object type
TitleBox with scene of a monk and lady at a table (generic title)
Materials and techniques
Ivory with gilt metal mounts
Brief description
Box, oblong ivory with chased gold mounts, a monk and a lady at a table, probably Netherlandish, ca. 1750 or a later pastiche
Physical description
Box. Ivory, oblong with chased gold mounts, the lid carved in relief with a monk and a female seated at a table, with a wine flask and goblets, the monk chucking the lady under the chin. A dog seizes some food from the table. A landscape can be seen outside the window.
Dimensions
  • Length: 8.8cm
  • Width: 6.1cm
  • Height: 1cm
Credit line
Bequeathed by John Jones
Object history
From the Jones Bequest in 1882.
Subjects depicted
Summary
This shallow rectangular box may have been used for cards. On the lid is a satirical scene depicting a monk and a lady at a table with a wine flask and goblets. The monk is shown chucking the lady under the chin while a dog seizes some food from the table. The dress and scene are eighteenth-century in style, although the carving is poor, and this may be a later pastiche, probably dating from the mid nineteenth century. The composition probably derives from a print, and was probably carved in the Netherlands.
Bibliographic references
  • List of Objects in the Art Division, South Kensington Museum acquired during the Year 1882. London: Eyre and Spottiswoode, 1883, p. 78
  • Catalogue of the Jones Bequest, 1924
  • Longhurst, Margaret, H. Catalogue of Carvings in Ivory. II. London: The Board of Education, 1929, p. 122
  • Trusted, Marjorie, Baroque & Later Ivories, Victoria & Albert Museum, London, 2013, cat. no. 115
Collection
Accession number
860-1882

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

Record createdJuly 24, 2008
Record URL
Download as: JSONIIIF Manifest