19th Century, Hunting Scene Of The Royals Of France

19th century

Hunting scene of the Royals of France

Ivory, open cm.18 x 14.5

This precious 19th-century ivory triptych presents itself as a refined artefact of historicist craftsmanship, characterised by three arched panels that narrate a dynamic royal hunting scene, dominated in the centre by the figure of a sovereign on horseback, likely identifiable with the Sun King Louis XIV, whose majestic equestrian iconography is enhanced by the plastic carving of the volumes and anatomical details. Louis XIV radically transformed hunting, elevating it from a simple hunting practice to one of the fundamental pillars of the etiquette and political propaganda of absolute monarchy, making it a true court pastime codified in every detail, in which the sovereign displayed his physical vigor and ability to dominate nature, a living metaphor for the control exercised over the state. The finely engraved architectural profile in the background, which recalls the structures of the castles of Fontainebleau or Versailles, serves as a scenic backdrop for the action, while the upper gable is embellished with the heraldic coat of arms of the French monarchy with the three lilies, surrounded by cornucopias symbolizing royal prosperity.