Carving
ca. 1500-1530 (made)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
This carving may have originally been fixed to the top of a standard and carried in religious processions. It depicts the virgin martyr St Ursula and her companions in a small boat.
According to legend, Ursula departed with her companions from the island of Britain (where her father was a king) to avoid an unwanted marriage. On their way back from a visit to Rome, they were slaughtered by Huns at Cologne on account of their Christian faith. In time, the early accounts of ten companions for St Ursula became exaggerated into accounts of 11 thousand young women accompanying her.
According to legend, Ursula departed with her companions from the island of Britain (where her father was a king) to avoid an unwanted marriage. On their way back from a visit to Rome, they were slaughtered by Huns at Cologne on account of their Christian faith. In time, the early accounts of ten companions for St Ursula became exaggerated into accounts of 11 thousand young women accompanying her.
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Materials and techniques | Oak, carved, painted and gilded |
| Brief description | Carving of St Ursula and her companions, in oak, painted and gilded |
| Physical description | A group of 13(?) female figures standing in a curved-hull boat, representing St Ursula and her virgins. Possibly the top of a standard. |
| Dimensions |
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| Object history | Bought from Emile Peyre for £80 |
| Subject depicted | |
| Summary | This carving may have originally been fixed to the top of a standard and carried in religious processions. It depicts the virgin martyr St Ursula and her companions in a small boat. According to legend, Ursula departed with her companions from the island of Britain (where her father was a king) to avoid an unwanted marriage. On their way back from a visit to Rome, they were slaughtered by Huns at Cologne on account of their Christian faith. In time, the early accounts of ten companions for St Ursula became exaggerated into accounts of 11 thousand young women accompanying her. |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | 692-1895 |
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| Record created | December 20, 2005 |
| Record URL |
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