St George and the Dragon with the Princess
Group
1350-1400 (made)
1350-1400 (made)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
This miniature carving depicts St George and the Dragon with the Princess. The miniature scale of this carving and its subject matter make it very unusual. It is carved fully in the round and probably served originally as the terminal on a larger obejct, perhaps on a covered cup or a knife handle. Its rudimentary style discourages a confident attribution, but there is nothing to preclude an English origin.
George is a legendary warrior saint and martyr. His origins lie in Greece and he became popular in the West from the 13th century. He is the patron saint of several European Cities, one of them Venice. He was also made patron of England in 1222. To the early Christians the dragon symbolised the evil. St. George slaying the dragon thus refers to the conversion of a heathen country to Christianity. Later ages interpreted the story following the ancient Greek meaning.
George is a legendary warrior saint and martyr. His origins lie in Greece and he became popular in the West from the 13th century. He is the patron saint of several European Cities, one of them Venice. He was also made patron of England in 1222. To the early Christians the dragon symbolised the evil. St. George slaying the dragon thus refers to the conversion of a heathen country to Christianity. Later ages interpreted the story following the ancient Greek meaning.
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Title | St George and the Dragon with the Princess (generic title) |
| Materials and techniques | Elephant ivory |
| Brief description | Group, ivory, Saint George and the Dragon with the Princess, probaby English, ca. 1350-1400 |
| Physical description | Miniature group, ivory. St George, mounted, is thrusting his spear into the recumbent dragon's mouth; the princess stands at the side holding her girdle, which is fastened around the dragon's neck. He wears a bascinet with raised visor, has a sheathed sword and a heater-shaped shield and holds the reins of his horse with his left hand. The horse is covered in a cloth trapper. |
| Dimensions |
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| Credit line | Bequeathed by Mrs Gilbertson in memory of her husband, Canon Gilbertson. |
| Object history | Formerly in the collection of the Rev. Walter Sneyd (1809-1888), Keele Hall, Staffordshire; Keele Hall Heirlooms Sale, Christies's, London, 7 July 1902, lot 49 (bought Ready, £4 14s 6d, with another item); collection of Mrs Percy Macquoid, London, by 1923; collection of Canon Lewis Gilbertson, Rector of St Martin's Church, Ludgate Hill, London; bequeathed by Mrs Gilbertson (d. 1940) in memory of her husband, Canon Gilbertson, 1940. |
| Production | formerly thought to be German (Cologne) |
| Subjects depicted | |
| Summary | This miniature carving depicts St George and the Dragon with the Princess. The miniature scale of this carving and its subject matter make it very unusual. It is carved fully in the round and probably served originally as the terminal on a larger obejct, perhaps on a covered cup or a knife handle. Its rudimentary style discourages a confident attribution, but there is nothing to preclude an English origin. George is a legendary warrior saint and martyr. His origins lie in Greece and he became popular in the West from the 13th century. He is the patron saint of several European Cities, one of them Venice. He was also made patron of England in 1222. To the early Christians the dragon symbolised the evil. St. George slaying the dragon thus refers to the conversion of a heathen country to Christianity. Later ages interpreted the story following the ancient Greek meaning. |
| Bibliographic references |
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| Collection | |
| Accession number | A.32-1940 |
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| Record created | June 24, 2009 |
| Record URL |
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