Margaret, wife of John Hille
Brass Rubbing
1445 (made), second quarter 20th century (made)
1445 (made), second quarter 20th century (made)
Artist/Maker | |
Place of origin |
Monumental brasses are commemorative plaques that served as effigies and were most commonly found in churches. The earliest examples come from the thirteenth century but they were popular up until the seventeenth century and then again in the Victorian Gothic Revival. Surviving brasses from the medieval period are limited due to the turbulent history of the Church but they do survive in considerable numbers in the East of England, Germany and Flanders. Made from an alloy of copper and zinc, a material known as latten, they were laid into church floors and walls. Monumental brasses are historically and stylistically significant because they record dress, architecture, armoury, heraldry (coats of arms and insignia) and palaeography (handwriting) in a dated object. In addition they tell the story of memorial and patronage.
The practice of recording brasses through a process of rubbing originates from the Victorian Gothic Revival. An early method of pouring printer’s ink into engraved lines and then placing damp tissue paper over the brass was replaced around the mid-nineteenth century with the more effective technique of using black shoemaker’s wax, known as heel ball. Brass rubbing continued to be a popular hobby into the twentieth century before the process was understood to cause damage to the brasses.
The practice of recording brasses through a process of rubbing originates from the Victorian Gothic Revival. An early method of pouring printer’s ink into engraved lines and then placing damp tissue paper over the brass was replaced around the mid-nineteenth century with the more effective technique of using black shoemaker’s wax, known as heel ball. Brass rubbing continued to be a popular hobby into the twentieth century before the process was understood to cause damage to the brasses.
Object details
Categories | |
Object type | |
Title | Margaret, wife of John Hille (generic title) |
Materials and techniques | Wax rubbing of monumental brass on paper |
Brief description | Rubbing of the effigy and inscriptions from the brass of Margaret, wife of John Hille, dated 1445, from White Waltham Church, Berkshire |
Physical description | Rubbing of the effigy of Margaret, wife of John Hille,shown with the accompanying inscription beneath her feet and a small scroll inscription with the words 'Ihu mercy' (Jesus Mercy) above her. The effigy itself is missing its head and on the top right register an outline of another scroll is included. |
Dimensions |
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Credit line | Given by Mrs E.R.M. Morris |
Object history | Rubbing taken at White Waltham Church, Berkshire and given by Mrs. E. R. M. Morris. |
Association | |
Summary | Monumental brasses are commemorative plaques that served as effigies and were most commonly found in churches. The earliest examples come from the thirteenth century but they were popular up until the seventeenth century and then again in the Victorian Gothic Revival. Surviving brasses from the medieval period are limited due to the turbulent history of the Church but they do survive in considerable numbers in the East of England, Germany and Flanders. Made from an alloy of copper and zinc, a material known as latten, they were laid into church floors and walls. Monumental brasses are historically and stylistically significant because they record dress, architecture, armoury, heraldry (coats of arms and insignia) and palaeography (handwriting) in a dated object. In addition they tell the story of memorial and patronage. The practice of recording brasses through a process of rubbing originates from the Victorian Gothic Revival. An early method of pouring printer’s ink into engraved lines and then placing damp tissue paper over the brass was replaced around the mid-nineteenth century with the more effective technique of using black shoemaker’s wax, known as heel ball. Brass rubbing continued to be a popular hobby into the twentieth century before the process was understood to cause damage to the brasses. |
Bibliographic references |
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Collection | |
Accession number | E.1-1950 |
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Record created | June 30, 2009 |
Record URL |
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