Unknown
(German, Cologne)
Draughtsman Piece
mid-12th century
narwhal tuskk
1.88 in diameter
4.76 cm
Adolph D. and Wilkins C. Williams Fund
68.57.6
This game piece features two fantastic beasts surrounded by a floral motif and displays traces of red dye made from the madder root. Such pieces were often found in sets of red and white, and they were carved with relief figures of mythological beasts or heroic figures like Hercules or Samson. Medieval table games were popular among both children and adults but, because of the prevalence of gambling, were sometimes outlawed by the Church.
JS