Cardinal
Ecclesiastical Figure
first half 19th century (made)
first half 19th century (made)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
This figure is one of a set of 50 dressed to represent the outfits worn by Catholic religious orders. They are made of tow (hemp) with wax heads, hands and feet. They were probably made in France, as they are labelled in French, but some of the orders represented were only active in Germany and the Netherlands.
This figure represents a Cardinal, a senior official of the Catholic Church. The cardinals wear a scarlet tunic, white embroidered and/or lace trimmed rochet, a mozzetta (cape), and a wide-brimmed hat called a galero. Until 1965 the Pope would present new cardinals with a galero when he named them; it has now been replaced by a scarlet biretta. The colour symbolises the cardinal's willingness to die for his faith. The figure also carries a crozier, a staff of office carried by high-ranking members of the clergy. It is shaped like a shepherd's crook in reference to the bearer's role as a metaphorical 'shepherd of the flock of God'.
This figure represents a Cardinal, a senior official of the Catholic Church. The cardinals wear a scarlet tunic, white embroidered and/or lace trimmed rochet, a mozzetta (cape), and a wide-brimmed hat called a galero. Until 1965 the Pope would present new cardinals with a galero when he named them; it has now been replaced by a scarlet biretta. The colour symbolises the cardinal's willingness to die for his faith. The figure also carries a crozier, a staff of office carried by high-ranking members of the clergy. It is shaped like a shepherd's crook in reference to the bearer's role as a metaphorical 'shepherd of the flock of God'.
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Title | Cardinal |
| Materials and techniques | Figure made of tow and wax, dressed in linen and woollen materials. |
| Brief description | Wax and tow figure dressed as a Cardinal |
| Physical description | Figure made of wax and tow, dressed in linen and woollen fabrics. Broad brimmed hat, red cape, white embroidered linen cotta, red robe |
| Dimensions |
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| Credit line | Given by Mr. G. Smith |
| Object history | One of a group of 50 figures given to the Educational Department by Mr. G. Smith of St John's Wood in 1868, but only formally accessioned in 1905. The labels on the bases are in French but some of the orders represented (e.g the Alexians and the Order of the Conception) seem to have been confined to Germany and the Low Countries. (from original acquisition record for 1905) |
| Production | Labelled in French; some of the orders represented confined to Germany or the Netherlands. |
| Summary | This figure is one of a set of 50 dressed to represent the outfits worn by Catholic religious orders. They are made of tow (hemp) with wax heads, hands and feet. They were probably made in France, as they are labelled in French, but some of the orders represented were only active in Germany and the Netherlands. This figure represents a Cardinal, a senior official of the Catholic Church. The cardinals wear a scarlet tunic, white embroidered and/or lace trimmed rochet, a mozzetta (cape), and a wide-brimmed hat called a galero. Until 1965 the Pope would present new cardinals with a galero when he named them; it has now been replaced by a scarlet biretta. The colour symbolises the cardinal's willingness to die for his faith. The figure also carries a crozier, a staff of office carried by high-ranking members of the clergy. It is shaped like a shepherd's crook in reference to the bearer's role as a metaphorical 'shepherd of the flock of God'. |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | 1212:27-1905 |
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| Record created | May 16, 2008 |
| Record URL |
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