Game Piece with Samson Slaying the Philistines with the Jawbone of an Ass

Unknown

1140–50 · Elephant ivory, red stain · Medieval Art

The treatise written for craftsmen by the early-twelfth-century monk Theophilus recommends using the red root of the madder plant to stain ivory. Staining allowed one side to be easily distinguished from the other, which was often left unpainted.

Artist

Unknown

Date

1140–50

Medium

Elephant ivory, red stain

Culture

German

Department

Medieval Art

Credit line

Gift of J. Pierpont Morgan, 1917