Game Piece with the Blinded Samson Led by a Boy to the Philistine Temple of Dagon

German

On view at The Met Cloisters in Gallery 14

Numerous Romanesque playing pieces were produced in Cologne, a thriving center of ivory carving. This example illustrates a boy leading the blinded Samson to the pillars of the Philistine temple of Dagon. It would have been one of a set of fifteen pieces in a board game similar to backgammon, engaging an equal number of pieces displaying the feats of Samson and of Hercules.

Game Piece with the Blinded Samson Led by a Boy to the Philistine Temple of Dagon, Walrus ivory, German

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Game Piece with the Blinded Samson Led by a Boy to the Philistine Temple of Dagon, Walrus ivory, German
Game Piece with the Blinded Samson Led by a Boy to the Philistine Temple of Dagon, Walrus ivory, German

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