Attack on the Castle of Love
Mirror Back
second quarter fourteenth century (made)
second quarter fourteenth century (made)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
This is a mirror back made in France, Paris in the second quarter of the fourteenth century. The mirror back is carved in ivory and representing the attack on the Castle of Love. The Castle of Love is an allegorical representation of the heart of a lady, to be conquered only after a trial of determination, courage and strength, and the image was thus particularly appropriate for the decoration of the accoutrements of beauty and grooming, such as ivory mirror cases and jewel or marriage caskets.
It was one of the most popular images of l'amour courtois in the first half of the fourteenth century.
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.
Gothic ivory mirror backs survive in considerable numbers. The ivory cases themselves, usually between 8 and 14 cm in diameter, consisted of two paired ivory discs (described here as ‘mirror backs’), often with four crawling monsters or lions (or leaves) carved around the outer edge. These ornamental features would transform the circle into a square and make the opening of the case easier, although their vulnerability to breakage is now all too evident.
The majority of the ivory mirror cases and their leather boxes must have been purchased as expensive gifts, to be presented by the wealthy élite to their friends, family and lovers, and often as wedding presents. The subject matter of the mirror backs was almost exclusively secular.
It was one of the most popular images of l'amour courtois in the first half of the fourteenth century.
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.
Gothic ivory mirror backs survive in considerable numbers. The ivory cases themselves, usually between 8 and 14 cm in diameter, consisted of two paired ivory discs (described here as ‘mirror backs’), often with four crawling monsters or lions (or leaves) carved around the outer edge. These ornamental features would transform the circle into a square and make the opening of the case easier, although their vulnerability to breakage is now all too evident.
The majority of the ivory mirror cases and their leather boxes must have been purchased as expensive gifts, to be presented by the wealthy élite to their friends, family and lovers, and often as wedding presents. The subject matter of the mirror backs was almost exclusively secular.
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Title | Attack on the Castle of Love (generic title) |
| Materials and techniques | Carved elephant ivory |
| Brief description | Mirror back, ivory, the Attack on the Castle of Love, French (Paris), second quarter of the fourteenth century |
| Physical description | Carved ivory mirror back representing the attack on the Castle of Love. A three-tier tower-like castle is in the centre, with portcullis partly open, before which five mounted and armoured knights, divided into two groups, confront one another for the attentions of the ladies above. The four maidens hurl roses down at the knights, while two trumpeters at the sides blow fanfares while perched on the branch of a tree. From the battlements at the top of the castle the winged God of Love shoots his arrows at the combatants and has already pierced with an arrow the right eye of one of the knights below, who has lifted his helmet to look upwards towards the ladies. On the rim are four lions carved in the round. |
| Dimensions |
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| Object history | In the Préaux collection in Paris, and is described in the Préaux sale catalogue (Paris, 9-11 January 1850, lot 147, bought Rarent). Then collection of Prince Soltykoff, Paris, until 1861; Soltykoff sale (Soltykoff 1861, lot 355); collection of Henry Farrer, London; Farrer sale, Christie's London, 13 June 1866, lot 328; on loan to the Museum from 1867 and purchased from John Webb, London, in 1872, for £110. |
| Production | Previously considered to be German from Cologne. |
| Subjects depicted | |
| Summary | This is a mirror back made in France, Paris in the second quarter of the fourteenth century. The mirror back is carved in ivory and representing the attack on the Castle of Love. The Castle of Love is an allegorical representation of the heart of a lady, to be conquered only after a trial of determination, courage and strength, and the image was thus particularly appropriate for the decoration of the accoutrements of beauty and grooming, such as ivory mirror cases and jewel or marriage caskets. It was one of the most popular images of l'amour courtois in the first half of the fourteenth century. 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. Gothic ivory mirror backs survive in considerable numbers. The ivory cases themselves, usually between 8 and 14 cm in diameter, consisted of two paired ivory discs (described here as ‘mirror backs’), often with four crawling monsters or lions (or leaves) carved around the outer edge. These ornamental features would transform the circle into a square and make the opening of the case easier, although their vulnerability to breakage is now all too evident. The majority of the ivory mirror cases and their leather boxes must have been purchased as expensive gifts, to be presented by the wealthy élite to their friends, family and lovers, and often as wedding presents. The subject matter of the mirror backs was almost exclusively secular. |
| Bibliographic references |
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| Collection | |
| Accession number | 9-1872 |
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| Record created | January 5, 2004 |
| Record URL |
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