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

Tristan and Isolde meeting Ogrin the Hermit (?)

Description

On display - room 12

14th century

Late Middle Ages

Carved ivory objects were very popular in the late 13th and early 14th centuries. Parisian sculptors were particularly renowned for the finesse of their work, in which the taste for courtly love was expressed. The mirror case cover features what is identified as a scene from the story of Tristan and Isolde. The two lovers have gone to seek refuge in a forest, and are surprised by the hermit Ogrin. 

The delicate suppleness that characterises the lovers’ long clothes is noticeable, as well as the elegant posture of Isolde and the stylised trees, contrasting with the marked features of the hermit.

Alexandre Du Sommerard collection.  
 

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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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

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

15th 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