Samson and Delilah
Tableman
ca. 1130-1140 (made)
ca. 1130-1140 (made)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
Backgammon appears to have been a favourite game amongst the nobility and game sets were taken on the Crusades. This piece shows Samson lying horizontally, while a manservant hands over a pair of shears to Deliliah to cut off his hair. There are three pieces executed in a very similar style also with scenes from the history of Samson, in New York, Florence and Paris.
This pieces must have belonged to a set of tablemen with scenes from the story of Samson, opposed by pieces devoted to the legend of Hercules. The facial features of all three figures, but especially those of Delilah, should be compared with the similar figures in the historiated initials of the St Albans Psaltar of c. 1130 and other ivories of English origin, such as V&A Inv. Nos. A. 20-1961, 375-1871 and A. 27-1977. Its border decoration is not to be found on any other gaming piece.
This pieces must have belonged to a set of tablemen with scenes from the story of Samson, opposed by pieces devoted to the legend of Hercules. The facial features of all three figures, but especially those of Delilah, should be compared with the similar figures in the historiated initials of the St Albans Psaltar of c. 1130 and other ivories of English origin, such as V&A Inv. Nos. A. 20-1961, 375-1871 and A. 27-1977. Its border decoration is not to be found on any other gaming piece.
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Title | Samson and Delilah (generic title) |
| Materials and techniques | Walrus ivory |
| Brief description | Tableman, walrus ivory, depicting Samson and Delilah, probably England (possibly St. Albans), ca. 1130-40 |
| Physical description | In the foreground Samson is lying horizontally at full length, his head resting on the lap of the seated Delilah; from the right her manservant advances towards her with a pair of shears which she is about to take from him. Narrow formal leaf border interrupted by lines of beading radially disposed. The ivory shows evidence of red staining. |
| Dimensions |
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| Credit line | Purchased under the Bequest of Mr Francis Reubell Bryan |
| Object history | Purchased from T.F. Wilson, London, £75. This pieces must have belonged to a set of tablemen with scenes from the story of Samson, opposed by pieces devoted to the legend of Hercules. Historical significance: The facial features of all three figures, but especially those of Delilah, should be compared with the similar figures in the historiated initials of the St Albans Psaltar of c. 1130 and other ivories of English origin, such as V&A Inv. Nos. A. 20-1961, 375-1871 and A. 27-1977. Its border decoration is not to be found on any other gaming piece. |
| Subjects depicted | |
| Summary | Backgammon appears to have been a favourite game amongst the nobility and game sets were taken on the Crusades. This piece shows Samson lying horizontally, while a manservant hands over a pair of shears to Deliliah to cut off his hair. There are three pieces executed in a very similar style also with scenes from the history of Samson, in New York, Florence and Paris. This pieces must have belonged to a set of tablemen with scenes from the story of Samson, opposed by pieces devoted to the legend of Hercules. The facial features of all three figures, but especially those of Delilah, should be compared with the similar figures in the historiated initials of the St Albans Psaltar of c. 1130 and other ivories of English origin, such as V&A Inv. Nos. A. 20-1961, 375-1871 and A. 27-1977. Its border decoration is not to be found on any other gaming piece. |
| Bibliographic references |
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| Collection | |
| Accession number | A.3-1931 |
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| Record created | January 9, 2004 |
| Record URL |
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