Embroidered fabric depicting a recumbent figure on the ground, surrounded by three women. Front view.

Alms pouch, wild man, Cl. 13533 © GrandPalaisRmn / Jean-Gilles Berizzi

Alms pouch

Wild man

Description

Not on display

Circa 1340-1350

Late Middle Ages

These fragments with refined embroidery come from a large trapezoidal alms pouch, an accessory that's part of men’s clothing. It focuses on the theme of the wild man, which was very popular in the 14th-15th century.

When he was asleep, he was surrounded and tamed by three women: the middle one enchanted him by playing the vielle, the one on the right chained him, the one on the left chose him as a lover by crowning him. The monkey shooting a bow at a hare, a parody of the god of Love (on two small fragments), confirms this courtly interpretation.

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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Lead object: headless man mounted on a horse. Front view.

Secular badge, horse rider, Cl. 4600 © GrandPalaisRmn / Michel Urtado

Badges (lead)

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)