Box with Scenes from the Romance, “The Chatelaine de Vergy”
Unknown Artist
ca. 1320–40
Medium
Elephant ivory, modern wood core
Dimensions
3 1/8 in. × 8 1/2 in. × 4 in. (7.9 × 21.6 × 10.2 cm) Lid: 8 1/2 in. × 4 in. × 1/2 in. (21.6 × 10.2 × 1.3 cm)
Classification
Ivories-Elephant
Culture
French
Department
Medieval Art
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Gift of J. Pierpont Morgan, 1917
Accession Number
17.190.177a, b
Tags
Art Historical Context
This exquisite elephant ivory box, crafted in France around 1320–40, captures the chivalric spirit of medieval romance through intricate carvings of scenes from *The Chatelaine de Vergy*, a popular 13th-century tale of courtly love, jealousy, and tragedy. just 3⅛ × 8½ × 4 inches, the compact casket—complete with a separate lid—likely served as a luxurious container for jewels, cosmetics, or personal items, reflecting the refined tastes of the Gothic nobility. The unknown artist's mastery shines in the delicate low-relief carvings on all sides, depicting couples, men, and women amid dramatic e...