Ivory Ornament from Oxford: 11th century

The openwork ornament of walrus ivory came from 12th-century levels on the site of the Westgate Centre, and has Acanthus leaf decoration (a plant whose curly leaves were often shown in Classical art, and are to be seen in early Medieval times in England in the Winchester manuscripts). The circular holes must be attachment holes, perhaps for fixing it to a box or casket. Walrus ivory was a popular material for such decorations here between the 10th and 12th centuries; it was imported to this country from Scandinavia.