Medieval Europe, 1050–1500

The Lewis chessmen give small carved figures recognizable gestures and clothing. Among them, a queen rests a hand against her cheek. The pieces make a useful starting point in a room covering medieval life between about 1050 and 1500. Objects from Britain, Byzantium and other parts of Europe bring religious practice, courts and commerce together. Trade and pilgrimage carried people and possessions across those regions. Precious objects such as the Royal Gold Cup belonged to particular settings for display, use and exchange. Move between an individual carved figure and an object made for a court or religious purpose. Materials, decoration and wear can each suggest a different kind of attention from their original users. The gallery’s medieval world was connected by movement as well as divided into kingdoms and communities.