1/ Knife handle
Ivory
Italy, 15th century
Rouen, Musée Beauvoisine
Inv No. 1751 (A)
The four sides of the handle are carved with figures (one woman and three men). This could be a representation of a biblical scene: the Sibyl and the Prophets.
2/ Knife
Curved and rounded iron blade, carved ivory handle
England
Late 17th century
Loaned by Saumur, Château - Museum
Inv No. 989.1.6
The subjects depicted on the handle are King William III of England (William of Orange 1650-1702) and his wife Mary II Stuart (1662-1694).
3/ Picking fork
Fork with two iron prongs, carved ivory handle
First quarter of the 17th century
Loaned by Saumur, Château - Museum
Inv No. 989.1.5
The scene depicted is Judith beheading General Holofernes. This violent scene from the Old Testament was particularly fashionable in Europe in the 17th century and can be found in many paintings by Michelangelo and Caravaggio.
4/ Polished navel dish
Terracotta, enamel
Spain, first half of the 16th century
Loaned by Saumur, Château - Museum
Inv No. 919.13.1.752
Navel dishes were part of the ceremonial tableware of the late Middle Ages or the Renaissance. From the early 15th century, European court grandees ordered them from Muslim potters in Spain to display on their dressers.
5/ Dish with an emblazoned decoration (tondino)
Glazed earthenware, monochrome decoration
France (Nevers), early 17th century
Loaned by Saumur, Château - Museum
Inv No. 919.13.1.320
Coat of arms: part in sable and argent; sable with five argent lozenges in pale; argent with two golden griffin claws; count's coronet.