French Gothic Ivories

This volume is the first to consider the golden century of Gothic ivory sculpture (1230-1330) in its material, theological, and artistic contexts. Providing a range of new sources and interpretations, Sarah Guérin charts the progressive development and deepening of material resonances expressed in these small-scale carvings. Guérin traces the journey of ivory tusks, from the intercontinental trade routes that delivered ivory tusks to northern Europe, to the workbenches of specialist artisans in medieval Paris, and, ultimately, the altars and private chapels in which these objects were venerated. She also studies the rich social lives and uses of a diverse range of art works fashioned from ivory, including standalone statuettes, diptychs, tabernacles, and altarpieces. Offering new insights into the resonances that ivory sculpture held for their makers and viewers, Guérin's study contributes to our understanding of the history of materials, craft, and later medieval devotional practices.
Brings forward numerous unpublished and unknown documentary and literary sources relating to ivory carving from across Medieval Europe, providing a rich source of new information for medievalists and general readers
Provides a rigorous, historically grounded study of Ivory, exposing the theological metaphors understood by medieval audiences as being inherent in ivory depictions of sacred imagery
Includes over 200 color illustrations, including numerous images of little-known objects, technical views, and diagrams