Ivory panel depicting Samson fighting the lion. Northern Italy. 14th C.

A small carved ivory panel depicting the legend of Samson fighting the lion, seated on its back, tearing the lion apart with his bare hands. The scene is set in a landscape with trees, underneath a simple gothic arch. The panel has remains of the original polychrome paint. The two fixation holes above and the one below in the middle allowed the panel to be mounted onto a wooden panel and show traces of wear, as expected. The surface of the panel has accumulated a fine, smooth patina of old age.

Northern Italy. 14th century.

Provenance: ex private collection (FR)

Dimensions: H 4.4cm x W 3.4cm