<em>A Pyx</em>, 9th or 14th century (?). Champleve enamel, 4 1/4 x 2 5/8 in. (10.8 x 6.7 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Gift of the executors of the Estate of Colonel Michael Friedsam, 32.614. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 32.614_glass_bw.jpg)

A Pyx, 9th or 14th century (?). Champleve enamel, 4 1/4 x 2 5/8 in. (10.8 x 6.7 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Gift of the executors of the Estate of Colonel Michael Friedsam, 32.614. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 32.614_glass_bw.jpg)

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So how is it that historians can know such exact dates for some, and for others it's such a wide range of years?

That's a great question. The dating of most objects relies on the context in which the object was found. Sometimes we are able to get very exact dates from objects that have been archaeologically excavated. Using various dating methods, such as Carbon 14 dating, we are able to define relatively exact date ranges.However in some other cases, dating methods aren't applicable and it becomes necessary to rely on the objects characteristics. The style, method of production, and materials can tell us a lot about when an object is from. But if that specific style was popular for a long time, we can't be sure of an exact century and so we provide a range.

Great, thank you!

Why is Chinese art in a case with Medieval Cloisonné?

It's surprising at first, right? We're most used to seeing things separated by geography. However, cloisonné is a cross-cultural technique! It was first developed in the Mediterranean basin around 1500 B.C.E. It became highly developed in the Byzantine Empire in the tenth and eleventh centuries and appears to have been transmitted to China via the maritime and overland Silk Routes. It starts showing up in China by the early fifteenth century.

Don't miss the small set of objects showing the different stages of cloisonne --- that really helped me to understand how it is made.

Thanks! Enjoying the exhibit and the chance to chat with you.

What are these two objects?

The object on the right is a pyx which is a small container designed to hold communion wafers. It dates to the 9th-14th century from France. The Latin word pyxis means "small box." The technique used to make the plaque on the left, called Champlevé, was made famous by enamelers in France during the Middle Ages. The eagle carrying a scroll in all probability represents John the Evangelist.

A Pyx

Decorative Arts and Design

MEDIUM Champleve enamel

DATES 9th or 14th century (?)

DIMENSIONS 4 1/4 x 2 5/8 in. (10.8 x 6.7 cm) (show scale)

COLLECTIONS Decorative Arts and Design

ACCESSION NUMBER 32.614

CREDIT LINE Gift of the executors of the Estate of Colonel Michael Friedsam

EXHIBITIONS

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MUSEUM LOCATION This item is not on view

CAPTION A Pyx, 9th or 14th century (?). Champleve enamel, 4 1/4 x 2 5/8 in. (10.8 x 6.7 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Gift of the executors of the Estate of Colonel Michael Friedsam, 32.614. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 32.614_glass_bw.jpg)

IMAGE overall, 32.614_glass_bw.jpg. Brooklyn Museum photograph

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RIGHTS STATEMENT Creative Commons-BY

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