Detail of a Cover of a Writing Tablet with the Fountain of Youth in the Cloisters, April 2012

Plaque with the Fountain of Youth

Date: ca. 1320–40

Geography: Made in Paris, Île-de-France, France

Culture: French

Medium: Ivory

Dimensions: Overall: 4 7/16 x 2 5/8 x 3/16 in. (11.2 x 6.6 x 0.4 cm)

Classification: Ivories

Credit Line: The Cloisters Collection, 2003

Accession Number: 2003.131.4

Description:
The lower scene depicts three episodes in the progress of an amorous relationship. Beneath trefoil arches a woman recoils from the advances of her lover at the left; she has a more tentative response in the center; and on the right she embraces him as he chucks her chin. Above, under an identical arcade, is the fountain of youth, an image rarely represented in art during this period but known from romance literature. At the left, a bearded, old man with a walking stick enters the raised fountain's flowing waters, which are already inhabited by two smiling, youthful couples.

In addition to devotional statuettes, diptychs, and triptychs, which survive in large numbers, Parisian ivory carvers supplied their clients with combs, boxes, mirror cases, and other objects frequently decorated with secular themes. This plaque was undoubtedly made to be the cover of a set of wax writing tablets. The ivory leaves would have been held together by a cord passed through the two holes that can be seen at the top. Small traces of paint indicate that this ivory was probably originally partially polychromed.

Text from: metmuseum.org/collection/the-collection-online/search/475490