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

Tenture de la Vie Seigneuriale, La Promenade, Cl. 2178 © GrandPalaisRmn / Franck Raux

La Vie Seigneuriale

Début du XVIe siècle

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

Pilgrimage badges

13th century - 14th century - 15th century