While the grand scale of Gothic architecture is the most prominent example of the intricacies and detailed work of artists and architects of the era, smaller works could be even more remarkable in the right hands. Boxwood Miniatures, which are believed to have originated in the Netherlands, show just how fine and complex these works could become, spinning out from the same aesthetics as grand cathedrals. The intricate and rich designs on such a small scale are an incredible example of the craftsmanship and skill that existed in the early 16th century.
Dozens of these carved wooden objects have survived and the detail of them is remarkable even by modern standards, let alone using the tools available at the time. Small chisels, a foot-powered lathe and, most likely, a magnifying glass, would need to be utilised to achieve this end result. It’s thought that most were made between 1500 and 1530, and while some variation in quality between them suggests more than one person made them all, it’s possible they all came from the same workshop led by an artisan who had the skill to make the most impressive pieces. However, their identity remains a mystery that experts are still trying to solve.