Joan of Arc triptych statuette

This meticulously carved ivory statuette depicts Joan of Arc standing in a suit of armor with a large cloak over it. She wears a helmet and has long hair. Her right hand holds her sword, and her left hand rests on her shield. Her bust opens to reveal a sculpted triptych depicting Joan's victorious entry into Orléans. On horseback, she proudly carries her standard. The caption reads L'Entrée d'Orléans. This triptych is reminiscent of the painting L'Entrée de Jeanne d'Arc à Orléans by Jean-Jacques Scherrer (1855-1916), on view at the Musée des Beaux-Arts d'Orléans (see p. ?). Joan is acclaimed by the crowd. On either side are kneeling clerics and bourgeois. The figures in the foreground also feature in the triptych. The town, illustrated by timber-framed houses, is delicately sculpted. The 19th century saw a revival of interest in the white gold of ivory. A new society emerged, the bourgeoisie, who sought access to luxury. Ivory is an example of an exceptional material: expensive, a symbol of strength and unbreakable. This led to the revival of the workshops in Dieppe, a major centre for the production of ivory objects. This Jeanne is certainly one of them.