Quatrilobed Plaque

c. 1280–1300

France, Paris, Ile-de-France, Gothic period, early 14th century

Medium

Gold, translucent enamel

Measurements

Overall: 4.8 x 4.8 cm (1 7/8 x 1 7/8 in.)

Credit Line

The Mary Spedding Milliken Memorial Collection, Gift of William Mathewson Milliken 1932.537

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Location

106C Medieval Treasury

Did You Know?

Julien was not the only artisan to produce émaux de plique; therefore, an exact attribution to an artist is problematic.

Description

This rare four-lobed plaque is a superb example of émail de plique, a virtuoso enameling method popular in Paris during the late 1200s with the court of Philip the Fair (reigned 1285–1314). Plaques like this were prepared in advance to be attached to larger works including crosses, chalices, reliquaries, or even sewn into precious fabrics for decoration. Given the very distinctive shape of this plaque it is certain to have been created for a specific commission.