Medallion with the Feast of Ahasuerus

Unknown

early 16th century · Boxwood · Medieval Art

The medallion must originally have formed part of a larger ensemble focusing on the story of Esther, the biblical heroine feted in the Jewish feast of Purim. By tricking her gullible Persian husband, King Ahasuerus—host of the dinner party seen here—Esther became the savior of the Jewish people. In art, her story was associated with royal women in the Burgundian Netherlands, as a means of comparing their strong commitment to their people to Esther’s good example.

Artist

Unknown

Date

early 16th century

Medium

Boxwood

Culture

Netherlandish

Department

Medieval Art

Credit line

Gift of J. Pierpont Morgan, 1917