Draughtsman or Gaming piece
Tableman
11th century to 12th century (made)
11th century to 12th century (made)
Artist/Maker | |
Place of origin |
The game of tables, or backgammon, was popular in the 11th and 12th centuries. There were 15 counters to each side, and 12th century boards inlaid with bone sections have been excavated at Gloucester and Saint-Denis. About 250 Romanesque tablemen with figurative designs survive. The game was popular throughout Northern Europe and the pieces were made in a number of different centres, with the most productive workshops based in Northern France and Cologne.
They are to be found in most museums with archeological collections and difficult to date because of their simple ornament and the unchanging nature of their design.
They are to be found in most museums with archeological collections and difficult to date because of their simple ornament and the unchanging nature of their design.
Object details
Categories | |
Object type | |
Title | Draughtsman or Gaming piece |
Materials and techniques | Antler |
Brief description | Tableman, antler, England, 11th -12th century |
Physical description | Antler, decorated with concentric circles. Decayed. |
Dimensions |
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Object history | Given by Miss M.H. Longhurst (Keeper of the Department of Architecture and Sculpture), having been purchased at a little print shop in Wardour Street. It came 'from excavations in Bishopsgate Street within, North side, a few doors east of Threadneedle street - deep down - bought on the spot when found' (written on a label, presumably by the proprietor of the shop). Historical significance: Rudimentary gaming pieces were made throughout Northern Europe in the 11th - 13th centuries. They are to be found in most museums with archeological collections and difficult to date because of their simple ornament and the unchanging nature of their design. |
Historical context | The game of tables, or backgammon, was popular in the 11th and 12th centuries. There were 15 counters to each side, and 12th century boards inlaid with bone sections have been excavated at Gloucester and Saint-Denis. About 250 Romanesque tablemen with figurative designs survive. The game was popular throughout Northern Europe and the pieces were made in a number of different centres, with the most productive workshops based in Northern France and Cologne |
Summary | The game of tables, or backgammon, was popular in the 11th and 12th centuries. There were 15 counters to each side, and 12th century boards inlaid with bone sections have been excavated at Gloucester and Saint-Denis. About 250 Romanesque tablemen with figurative designs survive. The game was popular throughout Northern Europe and the pieces were made in a number of different centres, with the most productive workshops based in Northern France and Cologne. They are to be found in most museums with archeological collections and difficult to date because of their simple ornament and the unchanging nature of their design. |
Bibliographic reference | Williamson, Paul. Medieval Ivory Carvings. Early Christian to Romanesque. London, V&A Publishing, Victoria and Albert Museum, 2010, p. 416 , cat.no. 105 |
Collection | |
Accession number | A.22-1942 |
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Record created | June 24, 2009 |
Record URL |
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