Antique Dieppe Ivory Triptych, of ovoid form, the interior carved with birth of Jesus.

Antique Dieppe Ivory Triptych, of ovoid form, the interior carved with birth of Jesus.

France late 18th century - early 19th century

Size: (Closed) L: 50mm x W: 55.5mm

Size: (Open) L: 103.5mm

Three panel, fold-out Ivory carving depicting the birth of Jesus, designed with single facet, sphere form and intricate figural scene, exterior with geometric reliefs.

CONDITION: Craquelure consistent with age, in overall great condition.

IVORY CARVING IN DIEPPE.

Thus the story goes, that, in 1364, a company of Dieppois equipped a couple of barques, of only one hundred tons burden each, for the purpose of exploring the coast of Africa. It proved a lucky expedition, stamping the signs of its progress, in the names it gave to its various stopping places, which may be seen to this day on any map; for instance, Cape Verd, Bay of France, and Petit Dieppe, near Sestos. The return cargo of these frail craft was African spices, fruits and ivory. The former soon found its way into the interior, but much of the ivory, whose uses were less familiar, remained, as we may easily suppose, as trophies of their adventures, in the hands of the sailors and their families, until the ingenious fingers of Frenchmen cut, roughly at first no doubt, this compact but easily wrought substance into such domestic ornaments as might, at that time, be in use; sword and other handles, combs, and the like.