Set of Three Panels from a Casket with Scenes from Courtly Romances

The Cleveland Museum of Art catalogs Set of Three Panels from a Casket with Scenes from Courtly Romances as ivory (France, Lorraine?, Gothic period, 14th century · c. 1330–50).

WHY IT’S INTERESTING

In the center panel two knights in mail surcoats and helms joust here with blunted lances "for courtesy," a version of the joust known as the Joust of Peace.

SERENDIPITYA little unexpected

FamiliarWeird

A CLOSER LOOK

The museum identifies this ivory as ivory.

The museum's collection notes: Among the most lavish and deluxe products of French ivory workshops of the 1300s were large caskets carved with elaborate scenes drawn from courtly romances. The panels shown here come from such a casket. The largest panel (center) once formed the lid and depicts a tournament, the most splendid and romantic of knightly activities. Just to the right is a favorite allegory of chivalric love: knights assaulting the castle of love. The two side panels depict other scenes such as the fountain of youth, Sir Gawain and the Lion, and Lancelot crossing the sword bridge. These images suggesting chivalry, fertility, virginity, youth, and an idealized co

FOLLOW THE EVIDENCE

The Cleveland Museum of ArtSet of Three Panels from a Casket with Scenes from Courtly Romances

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