Two Figures on Horseback
Panel
late 12th century to early 13th century (made)
late 12th century to early 13th century (made)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
This bone panel is carved with a figure on horseback, presumably a knight, kissing a second figure, presumably a maiden, whose dress (or sleeve) has a pearled hem.
The subject matter appears to show a scene most popular on ivory Romance caskets and mirror backs of the first half of the 14th century, namely a mounted nobleman or knight - often connected with Arthurian legend - courting or rescuing a damsel, who turns to kiss him. This would therefore be an extremely early example of such a scene, although the Arthurian legends were increasingly popular after the middle of the 12th century. The plaque (and a casket in the British Museum) seem to anticipate the 'Minnekästchen' and Romance caskets of the 14th century and might indicate an early taste for secular objects of this type.
The subject matter appears to show a scene most popular on ivory Romance caskets and mirror backs of the first half of the 14th century, namely a mounted nobleman or knight - often connected with Arthurian legend - courting or rescuing a damsel, who turns to kiss him. This would therefore be an extremely early example of such a scene, although the Arthurian legends were increasingly popular after the middle of the 12th century. The plaque (and a casket in the British Museum) seem to anticipate the 'Minnekästchen' and Romance caskets of the 14th century and might indicate an early taste for secular objects of this type.
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Title | Two Figures on Horseback (generic title) |
| Materials and techniques | Bone |
| Brief description | Panel, bone, depicting two figures on horseback, probably English, late 12th or early 13th century |
| Physical description | The panel shows a figure on horseback, presumably a knight, kissing a second figure, presumably a maiden, whose dress (or sleeve) has a pearled hem. Surrounded by a pearled border. Portions missing at the lower corners. Pin-holes in the upper corners indicate that the plaque was attached to a separate background, probably the wooden core of a casket. |
| Dimensions |
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| Credit line | Given by Mr John Hunt. |
| Object history | Given by Mr John Hunt. Historical significance: The subject matter appears to show a scene most popular on ivory Romance caskets and mirror backs of the first half of the 14th century, namely a mounted nobleman or knight - often connected with Arthurian legend - courting or rescuing a damsel, who turns to kiss him. This would therefore be an extremely early example of such a scene, although the Arthurian legends were increasingly popular after the middle of the 12th century. The plaque (and a casket in the British Museum) seem to anticipate the 'Minnekästchen' and Romance caskets of the 14th century and might indicate an early taste for secular objects of this type. |
| Subjects depicted | |
| Summary | This bone panel is carved with a figure on horseback, presumably a knight, kissing a second figure, presumably a maiden, whose dress (or sleeve) has a pearled hem. The subject matter appears to show a scene most popular on ivory Romance caskets and mirror backs of the first half of the 14th century, namely a mounted nobleman or knight - often connected with Arthurian legend - courting or rescuing a damsel, who turns to kiss him. This would therefore be an extremely early example of such a scene, although the Arthurian legends were increasingly popular after the middle of the 12th century. The plaque (and a casket in the British Museum) seem to anticipate the 'Minnekästchen' and Romance caskets of the 14th century and might indicate an early taste for secular objects of this type. |
| Bibliographic reference | Williamson, Paul. Medieval Ivory Carvings. Early Christian to Romanesque. London, V&A Publishing, Victoria and Albert Museum, 2010, p. 405, cat.no. 102 |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | A.56-1938 |
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| Record created | June 24, 2009 |
| Record URL |
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