Wing of a mirror box with amorous scenes

Ivory mirror cases were very popular in the Gothic age, and consisted of two panels enclosing a thin sheet of polished metal. The carvings often portrayed secular scenes of courtly life, chivalric episodes, or moments of courtship. In this case, we see the meeting of two lovers, hidden from sight by the large crown of a tree. The scene is rendered in the dynamic, elegant style of Paris workshops, which took pleasure in realistic details in their description of garments, as we see in the sleeve of the first character on the left, who is offering his heart to the girl. This naturalistic sensibility for settings and costumes was inspired by contemporary book decorations.