Mirror Boxes: Courtly Scenes

Mirror Box: 
God of Love
Paris, first half of 15th  
century
Ivory
Diam. 0.13 m
Cl. 401

Medieval mirrors were often little boxes made of two lids fitting one into the other. Unscrewing these lids reveals the mirror within. The outside was always decorated on at least one side. This mirror box depicts the God of Love, on his throne in a tiny tree, aiming his arrows at lovers. Ordinary objects made of ivory became very popular in the 15th century. Most common were chests, knife handles, writing tablets and mirror boxes.