Ivory Box with Scenes of Adam and Eve
Unknown Artist
1000–1100s
Medium
ivory, wood
Dimensions
14.3 × 46.7 × 20.3 cm
Classification
Ivory
Department
Medieval Art
Museum
Cleveland Museum of Art
Credit
Gift of W. G. Mather, F. F. Prentiss, John L. Severance, J. H. Wade
Accession Number
1924.747
About this artwork
Scenes from the Old Testament stories of Adam and Eve and their children, Cain and Abel, decorate this box, which may have been made to contain jewelry or small valuables. On its lid two plaques depict the creation of Adam and the creation of Eve from Adam’s rib. Two further plaques depict Cain slaying Abel: Cain throws a stone in the direction of Abel, who is hit by stones in the hip, chest, and head.