Casket panel, carved elephant ivory, 'The Rape of Europa', Byzantine (Constantinople), probably late 10th or early 11th century

Europa is depicted seated sideways on the bull, looking towards the sea, her left hand on the animal's neck and the other holding aloft a scarf which frames her upper body before looping under her left arm. A putto, in mid-air with outstretched arms, grasps the scarf with its right hand and holds a wreath with the left. Another putto, holding a flaming torch in its left hand, wades into the sea before the bull. This central composition is flanked on the right by the figures of Mars and Venus. On the left, are two advancing female figures with outstretched arms.

Bequeathed by George Salting in 1910. Formerly in the Spitzer ( catalogue, 1890, I, p.29, No.1; Sale, 1893, Catalogue, No. 37) and Gibson-Carmichael (Sale, 1902, Catalogue, No. 181) Collections.

Historical significance: The 'Rape of Europa' belongs to a group of caskets decorated with classical scenes and rosettes which are closely related to the Veroli casket. It demonstrates superbly the strong familiarity of the artists of the Macedonian Renaissance with hellenistic prototypes and the scene refers directly to classical sources.

This plaque formed part of a casket in which perfume or jewellery would possibly have been preserved.

probaly late 10th or early 11th century

This plaque comes from the side of an ivory casket. Such recepticles were often decorated with scenes inspired by Roman art and mythology. The panel depicts Mars and Venus along with Jupiter, disguised as a bull, abducting Europa.

The 'Rape of Europa' belongs to a group of caskets decorated with classical scenes and rosettes which are closely related to the Veroli casket. It demonstrates superbly the strong familiarity of the artists of the Macedonian Renaissance with hellenistic prototypes and the scene refers directly to classical sources.

A.541-1910