The Pope
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 the Pope, the head of the Catholic Church. The wax head does not appear to be a portrait of a specific Pope. Its costume is similar to the 'choir dress' that modern Popes wear to attend services and formal occasions, such as audiences. It consists of a white tunic over which is worn an embroidered linen and lace cotta and a red cape known as the 'papal mozetta' trimmed with white fringe. This represents the fur trimming on the full-size winter mozetta. A stole trimmed with braid is worn over the mozetta along with a gold pectoral cross on a knotted cord. The figure carries a Papal Cross, a staff topped with a crucifix, and wears a three-tiered crown known as the Triregnum or Papal Tiara.
This figure represents the Pope, the head of the Catholic Church. The wax head does not appear to be a portrait of a specific Pope. Its costume is similar to the 'choir dress' that modern Popes wear to attend services and formal occasions, such as audiences. It consists of a white tunic over which is worn an embroidered linen and lace cotta and a red cape known as the 'papal mozetta' trimmed with white fringe. This represents the fur trimming on the full-size winter mozetta. A stole trimmed with braid is worn over the mozetta along with a gold pectoral cross on a knotted cord. The figure carries a Papal Cross, a staff topped with a crucifix, and wears a three-tiered crown known as the Triregnum or Papal Tiara.
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Title | The Pope |
| Materials and techniques | Figure made of tow and wax, dressed in linen and woollen materials. |
| Brief description | Wax and tow figure dressed as the Pope |
| Physical description | Figure made of wax and tow, dressed in linen and woollen fabrics. White tunic, embroidered linen and lace cotta, red cape trimmed white fringe, gold cross on knotted cord, stole trimmed with black braid, Cross of Lorraine and papal hat |
| 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 the Pope, the head of the Catholic Church. The wax head does not appear to be a portrait of a specific Pope. Its costume is similar to the 'choir dress' that modern Popes wear to attend services and formal occasions, such as audiences. It consists of a white tunic over which is worn an embroidered linen and lace cotta and a red cape known as the 'papal mozetta' trimmed with white fringe. This represents the fur trimming on the full-size winter mozetta. A stole trimmed with braid is worn over the mozetta along with a gold pectoral cross on a knotted cord. The figure carries a Papal Cross, a staff topped with a crucifix, and wears a three-tiered crown known as the Triregnum or Papal Tiara. |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | 1212:26-1905 |
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| Record created | May 16, 2008 |
| Record URL |
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