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Whale-Bone Plaque
(Medieval Europe )
Similar plaques of whale bone carved with confronted monster heads are found frequently in the graves of wealthy Viking women in Norway. The monster heads, similar to the figureheads attached to Viking ship prows, are typical of Viking decoration. The function of these plaques is not clear; it has been suggested that they were used as ironing-boards or for pleating linen (by folding and winding it around the board while wet and then leaving it to dry), or as trenchers for serving food.
Provenance
Provenance (from the French provenir, 'to come from/forth') is the chronology of the ownership, custody, or location of a historical object. Learn more about provenance at the Walters.
Sale, Christie's, London, July 8, 1981, lot 23; David Inc., Vadus, Liechtenstein; Walters Art Museum, April 1983, by purchase.
Geographies
Norway (Place of Origin)
Measurements
8 11/16 x 7 3/16 x 5/16 in. (22 x 18.3 x 0.8 cm)
Credit Line
Museum purchase, 1983
Location in Museum
Centre Street: Third Floor: Migration and Early Medieval Art
Accession Number
In libraries, galleries, museums, and archives, an accession number is a unique identifier assigned to each object in the collection.
In libraries, galleries, museums, and archives, an accession number is a unique identifier assigned to each object in the collection.
71.1169