Masterpieces

Rectangular yellow and gray stained glass window depicting a couple playing chess indoors. Front view.

Stained glass, Chess players, Cl. 23422 © GrandPalaisRmn / Mathieu Rabeau

Chess players

Stained glass

Description

On display - room 19b

15th century

Late Middle Ages

This 15th-century grisaille panel depicts a courtly subject: a richly dressed couple playing chess. It is a rare example of secular stained glass. It comes from the Hôtel de la Bessée in Villefranche-sur-Saône.

It depicts a game of chess, which also connotes romantic sparring. The lady appears to be feigning surprise at her distracted suitor.This highly detailed courtly scene has been carefully executed, with the techniques of grisaille and silver yellow employed on white glass.

Though very popular among the cultivated aristocratic elite, few examples of civil stained glass remain today.

From one artwork to another

Lead object: boat with an inscription on the sail carrying a Virgin and Child. Front view.

Pilgrimage badge, Notre-Dame, Cl. 4697 © GrandPalaisRmn / Michel Urtado

Pilgrimage badges

13th century - 14th century - 15th century

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Panel of bicolored pavement tiles featuring a royal heraldic pattern. Front photograph.

Pavement tiles, DS 4088 © GrandPalaisRmn / Jean-Gilles Berizzi

Pavement tiles

13th century

Round ivory plaque carved with a couple and a hooded, bearded figure. Frontal view.

Mirror case cover: Tristan and Isolde meeting Ogrin the Hermit, Cl. 383 © GrandPalaisRmn / Thierry Ollivier

Mirror case cover

14th century

Metal object with two engraved panels: one depicting a woman holding a lit candle, and the other a woman with a sword. Front view.

Sibyls, portable diptych for private devotion, Cl. 23986 © GrandPalaisRmn / Michel Urtado

Sibyls

Circa 1500-1510

Gilded and enameled metal cross decorated with an enthroned Christ in Majesty, surrounded by the Virgin and Saint John. Front view.

Processional cross from the abbey of Bonneval, Cl. 22888 © GrandPalaisRmn / Jean-Gilles Berizzi

Processional cross

13th century

Lead object: boat with an inscription on the sail carrying a Virgin and Child. Front view.

Pilgrimage badge, Notre-Dame, Cl. 4697 © GrandPalaisRmn / Michel Urtado

Pilgrimage badges

13th century - 14th century - 15th century

Wooden casket with a domed lid covered in prints depicting courtly scenes. Three-quarter view.

Casket with print decor, Cl. 23925 © GrandPalaisRmn / Michel Urtado

Casket with print decor

16th century (circa 1500)

Enamel and engraved metal plaque: Christ in Majesty surrounded by an angel and winged animals. Front view.

Christ in majesty, bookbinding plate, Cl. 13070 © GrandPalaisRmn / Thierry Ollivier

Christ in majesty

12th century

Carved ivory object depicting a seated figure under an arch holding a crozier and a parchment. Front view.

Chess piece, bishop, Cl. 23885 © GrandPalaisRmn / Michel Urtado

Chess piece

Mid-12th century

Carved stone block: musician in profile playing a long horn. Front photograph.

Saint Landry Pillar, Musician, rose window and leaf motif, Cl. 18607 © GrandPalaisRmn / Michel Urtado

Saint-Landry Pillar

First half of the 2nd century

Painted wooden panel depicting historical scenes between coats of arms. Front view.

Painted table from Germany decorated with four four-lobed medallions, Cl. 7725 © GrandPalaisRmn / Gérard Blot

Painted table from Germany

15th century