Please complete the form to email this item.

Mirror back - A Game of Chess

A Game of Chess

  • Object:

    Mirror back

  • Place of origin:

    Paris, France (made)

  • Date:

    first quarter of 14th century (made)

  • Artist/Maker:

    Unknown (production)

  • Materials and Techniques:

    Ivory

  • Museum number:

    A.563-1910

  • Gallery location:

    In Storage

  • Download image

In the period between 1300 and 1325 workshops in Paris enjoyed a thriving market for secular ivory carvings. They produced mirror-cases, combs and gravoirs (hair parters), often selling them as sets in leather dressing cases. Subjects from romance literature appeared frequently. Ivory combs, together with mirror cases and gravoirs for parting the hair, formed an essential part of the trousse de toilette or étui (dressing case) of the typical wealthy lady or gentleman in the Gothic period.

Physical description

They sit under a tent, the board of chess on a small table. A man and a lady playing. On the rim four monsters.

Place of Origin

Paris, France (made)

Date

first quarter of 14th century (made)

Artist/maker

Unknown (production)

Materials and Techniques

Ivory

Dimensions

Diameter: 8.5 cm

Object history note

From the Salting bequest.

Descriptive line

Mirror case, ivory, a Game of Chess, France (Paris), first quarter of 14th century

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

Longhurst, Margaret H. Catalogue of Carvings in Ivory. Part II. London: Victoria and Albert Museum, 1929, p. 46
'Salting Bequest (A. 70 to A. 1029-1910) / Murray Bequest (A. 1030 to A. 1096-1910)'. In: List of Works of Art Acquired by the Victoria and Albert Museum (Department of Architecture and Sculpture). London: Printed under the Authority of his Majesty's Stationery Office, by Eyre and Spottiswoode, Limited, East Harding Street, EC, p. 93

Materials

Ivory

Subjects depicted

Man; Table; Lady; Chess; Tent

Categories

Sculpture; Accessories; Games

Collection code

SCP

Download image
Qr_O312913
Ajax-loader