Metal object shaped like an elongated container with a spout and handle. Front photograph.

Dollhouse toys, ewer, Cl. 17772 © GrandPalaisRmn / Jean-Gilles Berizzi

Metal object shaped like an elongated container with a spout and handle, decorated with scale patterns. Front view.

Dollhouse toys, ewer, Cl. 17776 © GrandPalaisRmn / Jean-Gilles Berizzi

Metal object shaped like a truncated conical container with two lateral handles adorned with zoomorphic motifs. Front view.

Dollhouse toys, ewer, Cl. 17778 © GrandPalaisRmn / Jean-Gilles Berizzi

Dollhouse toys, glass, Cl. 17790

Dollhouse toys, glass, Cl. 17790 © GrandPalaisRmn / Jean-Gilles Berizzi

Metal object shaped like an oval shallow dish decorated with vegetal motifs. Front photograph on a neutral background.

Dollhouse toys, large oval dish, Cl. 17804 © GrandPalaisRmn / Jean-Gilles Berizzi

Metal object shaped like a pan with a handle decorated with geometric patterns. Front photograph on a neutral background.

Dollhouse toys, pan, Cl. 17846 © GrandPalaisRmn / Jean-Gilles Berizzi

Metal object shaped like a grill adorned with two fish. Front photograph.

Dollhouse toys, grill with two fish, Cl. 17852 © GrandPalaisRmn / Jean-Gilles Berizzi

Dollhouse toys (lead)

Description

On display - room 19b

14th century

Late Middle Ages

Arthur Forgeais found these small lead objects when the Seine was being dragged in the 19th century, with the vast majority of the leads preserved at the Musée de Cluny (like pilgrimage tokens). They date from the late Middle Ages (late 14th to early 16th century).

This collection of miniature objects comprises: tableware (drinks: jugs, ewers, glasses; food: dishes, plates, spoons, knives); kitchen utensils (saucepans, roasting trays, grill, rotisserie, waffle maker, pruning knife and spatula); furniture (candlestick, tables, and brazier).

Their typology, resembling real tableware, suggests that these are children's games similar to those we know off that are made of terracotta. 

In the Middle Ages, games were part of everyday life. There is a wide variety of games: board games, card games, and so on. Some games are specifically designed for children, such as toy soldiers or a doll's tea set.

In addition, the doll's tea set at the Musée de Cluny includes a cup and a plate that could be miniatures of liturgical objects for the Eucharistic ceremony : a chalice and its paten.

It is likely that religious role-playing has been done since the Middle Ages, as documented in modern times. You could even be the bishop! As such, in the Middle Ages, games were not only for leisure, but were also a part of children’s education. By pretending to be adults, children of both princes and commoners could act out their future roles in society through play.
 

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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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

Circa 1340-1350