Carved ivory mirror back, c1310-1320, (1881). Etching of a mirror case made in Paris in the early 14th century. The Gothic design incorporates four crawling monsters or lions carved around the outer edge. The God of Love sits enthroned with crossed legs, holding a falcon, and an arrow which he points towards the heart of a kneeling young man. A lady, the subject of the young man's ardour, kneels at the right. Both the lovers raise their hands as if in prayer. More pairs of lovers fill the surrounding space. Such objects were given as gifts, and featured almost exclusively secular subjects. From "The South Kensington Museum", a book of engraved illustrations, with descriptions, of the works of art in the collection of the Victoria & Albert Museum in London (formerly known as the South Kensington Museum). [Sampson Low, Marston, Searle and Rivington, London, 1881]