Copy of Ivory box lid -French hunt

PANEL WITH HUNTING SCENES CA. 1350 FRENCH THE STAG HUNT, ONE OF THE PRINCIPAL SECULAR THEMES OF THE MIDDLE AGES, IS HERE ELOQUENTLY PORTRAYED IN IVORY. THE ACTION BEGINS AT THE LEFT WITH HOUNDS AND HUNTERS ON HORSEBACK DEPARTING THE CASTLE. IN A WOODED SETTING WOMEN LURE FALCONS, WHILE THE HUNTER HAS SHOT AN ARROW AT THE STAG AS HOUNDS TORMENT IT; FINALLY, AS THE STAG SEEKS RELIEF FROM THE WATERS OF A FOUNTAIN, THE HUNTER DELIVERS THE COUP DE GRACE WITH HIS SWORD.