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The Story of Paris

Panel
ca. 1390-1410 (made)
Artist/Maker
Workshop of Embriachi
Place of origin
Italy (made)

These six oblong and curved placques were originally part of a casket. They are carved in relief with figure groups and narrate the story of Paris from his childhood onwards.
At the wedding of Peleus and Thetis, Eris threw a golden apple into the crowd of the guests. She stated that it should be the prize 'for the fairest'. Athena, Hera and Aphrodite each claimed it. Zeus told Hermes to lead them to Mount Ida, for Paris to judge about the matter. Each goddess promised him protection and special gifts if he would choose her as receiver for the apple: Hera guaranteed to make him ruler of Asia; Athena promised him wisdom and victory in combats; Aphrodite offered him the love of the most beautiful woman in the world, Helen of Sparta. Paris gave the golden apple to Aphrodite.


Object details

Category
Sculpture
Object type
Panel
Parts
This object consists of 6 parts.
(Some alternative part names are also shown below)
  • Panel
  • Plaque
  • Panel From a Casket Figure Groups
  • Panel From a Casket Figure Groups
  • Panel From a Casket Figure Groups
  • Panel From a Casket Figure Groups
  • Panel From a Casket Figure Groups
TitleThe Story of Paris (generic title)
Materials and techniques
Bone
Bone
Carving
Brief description
Plaques (six), bone, from a casket, the Story of Paris, by the workshop of Baldassare Ubriachi, Italy (probably Venice), ca. 1390-1410
Physical description
Six panels, portions of an octagonal casket. Sections of bone, oblong and curved, carved in relief with figure groups.
Scenes from the story of Paris. 357c-1889 represents the baby Paris being handed to Queen Hecuba's attendants to be killed; the lock plate was incorporated into this scene, the first in the narrative. 357a-1889 shows Hecuba giving the order. 357d-1889 probably comes from the scene where Agelaeus gives the swaddled baby over to his wife, who is shown leaving the scene at the right. 357-1889 depicts the child Paris and Agelaeus as shepherds. 357e-1889 shows the three goddesses from the moment prior to the Judgement of Paris. 357b-1889 depicts a bearded and winged Mercury holding the apple of discord.
Dimensions
  • Of central plaque height: 11.8cm
  • Of side plaques height: 11.4cm
  • Maximum width: 3.6cm
Object history
Purchased from Louis D. Strelitskie, London, in 1889 (for £7).
Production
made North Italy
Subjects depicted
Figure, Female
Baby
Shepherds
Mercury
Paris
Hecuba
Agelaeus
Literary referenceStory of Paris
Summary
These six oblong and curved placques were originally part of a casket. They are carved in relief with figure groups and narrate the story of Paris from his childhood onwards.
At the wedding of Peleus and Thetis, Eris threw a golden apple into the crowd of the guests. She stated that it should be the prize 'for the fairest'. Athena, Hera and Aphrodite each claimed it. Zeus told Hermes to lead them to Mount Ida, for Paris to judge about the matter. Each goddess promised him protection and special gifts if he would choose her as receiver for the apple: Hera guaranteed to make him ruler of Asia; Athena promised him wisdom and victory in combats; Aphrodite offered him the love of the most beautiful woman in the world, Helen of Sparta. Paris gave the golden apple to Aphrodite.
Bibliographic references
  • List of Objects in the Art Division South Kensington Museum acquired during the Year 1889. Arranged according to the dates of acquisition, with appendix and indices. London: Eyre and Spottiswoode, 1890, p. 37
  • Longhurst, Margaret.Catalogue of Carvings in Ivory. London. Board of Education, 1929, p. 67
  • Dalton, O.M. Catalogue of the Ivory Carvings of the Christian Era in the British Museum. London, 1909, no. 410
  • Williamson, Paul and Davies, Glyn, Medieval Ivory Carvings, 1200-1550, (in 2 parts), V&A Publishing, Victoria and Albert Museum, London, 2014 part II, pp. 822-823
  • Williamson, Paul and Davies, Glyn, Medieval Ivory Carvings, 1200-1550, (in 2 parts), V&A Publishing, Victoria and Albert Museum, London, 2014, part II, pp. 822-823, cat. no. 269
Collection
Sculpture Collection
Accession number
357E-1889

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Record createdOctober 27, 2008
Record URL
https://collections.vam.ac.uk/item/O170600/the-story-of-paris-panel-workshop-of-embriachi/
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