Poker (part of a set)

An item at Metropolitan Museum of Art

This set of fire tools 68.141.156–.159) was probably made for John Maitland on the occasion of his wedding to the Countess of Dysart. In 1647 Maitland raised an army to rescue Charles I. After the Battle of Worcester, when he was taken prisoner by Commonwealth troops, he was sent to the Tower. After his release (166) he became Prime Minister and Secretary of State. On May 1, 1672, he was created Marquess of March and Duke of Lauderdale, and on June 3 he was installed at Windsor as Knight of the Garter.

European Sculpture and Decorative Arts

An exhibit at Metropolitan Museum of Art

The fifty thousand objects in the Museum's comprehensive and historically important collection of European sculpture and decorative arts reflect the development of a number of art forms in Western European countries from the early fifteenth through the early twentieth century. The holdings include sculpture in many sizes and media, woodwork and furniture, ceramics and glass, metalwork and jewelry, horological and mathematical instruments, and tapestries and textiles. Ceramics made in Asia for export to European markets and sculpture and decorative arts produced in Latin America during this period are also included among these works.

Metropolitan Museum of Art