98 IVORY AND THE ELEPHANT 



century, a group portraying St. George and the Dragon. 

 The horse, the dragon, and the exposed parts of the rider's 

 body are all of ivory, while the saint's armour and the trap- 

 pings of his charger are wrought in silver. A jewelled base 

 of silver repousse supports this fine and spirited group; the 

 earnest intensity of the conqueror's expression, the impo- 

 tent rage of the dying monster, and the bold attitude of the 

 steed, all conspire to impress the beholder.* Another in- 

 teresting ivory of this collection, both on account of the 

 subject and of the workmanship, is a bronze and ivory figure 

 representing the great French heroine, Jeanne d'Arc, 

 loaded with chains by her ruthless captors. The ivory 

 carving is by E. Barries and the bronze work by Susse 

 Freres of Paris. Inscribed are the inspired words of the 

 Maid: "Vous avez pu m'enchalner, vous n'enchalnerez 

 pas la future de la France" ; an expression of that intense spirit 

 of patriotism which now animates the sons and daughters 

 of La Belle France. This statuette is 28 in. high. A 

 carved ewer and plaque offer good examples of the style 

 of bacchanalian ivory carvings so favoured by German 

 artists of the seventeenth century; whatever may be the 

 physical beauty of the semi-classic figures, all inspiration 

 is lacking, and these and similar works, in spite of great 

 technical excellences, belong to the decadence of art.f 

 Of an earlier period, and on a higher plane, is an octangu- 

 lar memorial plaque with silver-gilt repousse setting; along 

 the edge are eight medallions with representations of battle 

 scenes; in the centre a larger medallion depicts an attack 

 upon a fortified city. A portrait head is between two of 

 the bordering medallions, and the date 1506.t 



*Catalogue de Luxe of the Ancient Rugs, Sculptvu-es, Tapestries, Costly Furniture, 

 and other Objects belonging to the late Charles T. Yerkes, New York, 1910, No. 548. 

 tibid.. No. 550. 

 tIhid.,No.551. 



