Embroidered alms purse featuring a galloping griffin ridden by an upside-down woman. At the top, there is a seated angel. Front view.

Alms pouch embroidered with a griffin, Cl. 11788 © GrandPalaisRmn / Jean-Gilles Berizzi

Reverse side of an embroidered alms purse. Floral decoration in shades of beige, yellow, and white. Front photograph on a neutral background.

Alms pouch embroidered with a griffin, Cl. 11788 © GrandPalaisRmn / Jean-Gilles Berizzi

Detail of an embroidered alms purse featuring a galloping griffin ridden by an upside-down woman, surrounded by feathers and a rabbit. Front view.

Alms pouch embroidered with a griffin, Cl. 11788 (detail) © GrandPalaisRmn / Jean-Gilles Berizzi

Detail of an embroidered alms purse featuring a seated angel. Front photograph.

Alms pouch embroidered with a griffin, Cl. 11788 (detail) © GrandPalaisRmn / Jean-Gilles Berizzi

Detail of an embroidered alms purse featuring a rabbit in profile. Front photograph.

Alms pouch embroidered with a griffin, Cl. 11788 (detail) © GrandPalaisRmn / Jean-Gilles Berizzi

Detail of an embroidered alms purse featuring a galloping griffin ridden by an upside-down woman, surrounded by feathers and a rabbit. Front view.

Alms pouch embroidered with a griffin, Cl. 11788 (detail) © GrandPalaisRmn / Jean-Gilles Berizzi

Alms pouch embroidered with a griffin

Description

Not on display

14th century

Late Middle Ages

An accessory of men's attire, like its counterpart Cl. 11787, this alms pouch is embroidered with an enigmatic scene: an angel atop a griffon (a hybrid of an eagle and a lion) at a gallop, ridden by a woman sitting backwards who is aiming at a rabbit with her bow. Is it an image of purity prevailing over passions? Or a love allegory, in which the angel identified with the god of Love gives its arrows to the woman? 

The decoration of the angel's surcoat and the woman's cotte (tunic) is inspired by oriental fabrics.
 

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