Medallion with the Feast of Ahasuerus

early 16th century

Not on view

The medallion must originally have formed part of a larger ensemble focusing on the story of Esther, the biblical heroine feted in the Jewish feast of Purim. By tricking her gullible Persian husband, King Ahasuerus—host of the dinner party seen here—Esther became the savior of the Jewish people. In art, her story was associated with royal women in the Burgundian Netherlands, as a means of comparing their strong commitment to their people to Esther’s good example.

Artwork Details

Title: Medallion with the Feast of Ahasuerus
Date: early 16th century
Culture: Netherlandish
Medium: Boxwood
Dimensions: Diam. 1 7/8 × 1/4 in. (4.8 × 0.6 cm)
Classification: Sculpture-Miniature-Wood
Credit Line: Gift of J. Pierpont Morgan, 1917
Object Number: 17.190.471
Curatorial Department: Medieval Art and The Cloisters

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