Discalced Carmelite Friar
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 discalced Carmelite friar. The Carmelites are one of the oldest religious orders. Following reforms in the mid-16th century, the Carmelites separated into two distinct groups. The original Carmelites are described as ‘calced’ (wearing shoes), while discalced Carmelites went barefoot. The discalced Carmelites were established in the 1590s and are known as Teresians due to their following reforms introduced by St. Teresa of Ávila and St. John of the Cross. Carmelites are contemplative, focusing on study and the development of spiritual understanding. Calced Carmelite and Teresian friars wear identical habits, consisting of a brown tunic and scapular and a white cloak.
This figure represents a discalced Carmelite friar. The Carmelites are one of the oldest religious orders. Following reforms in the mid-16th century, the Carmelites separated into two distinct groups. The original Carmelites are described as ‘calced’ (wearing shoes), while discalced Carmelites went barefoot. The discalced Carmelites were established in the 1590s and are known as Teresians due to their following reforms introduced by St. Teresa of Ávila and St. John of the Cross. Carmelites are contemplative, focusing on study and the development of spiritual understanding. Calced Carmelite and Teresian friars wear identical habits, consisting of a brown tunic and scapular and a white cloak.
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Titles |
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| Materials and techniques | Figure made of tow and wax, dressed in linen and woollen materials. |
| Brief description | Wax and tow figure dressed as a discalced Carmelite friar |
| Physical description | Figure made of wax and tow, dressed in linen and woollen fabrics. Brown tunic and scapular, cream cloak, bare feet |
| 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 discalced Carmelite friar. The Carmelites are one of the oldest religious orders. Following reforms in the mid-16th century, the Carmelites separated into two distinct groups. The original Carmelites are described as ‘calced’ (wearing shoes), while discalced Carmelites went barefoot. The discalced Carmelites were established in the 1590s and are known as Teresians due to their following reforms introduced by St. Teresa of Ávila and St. John of the Cross. Carmelites are contemplative, focusing on study and the development of spiritual understanding. Calced Carmelite and Teresian friars wear identical habits, consisting of a brown tunic and scapular and a white cloak. |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | 1212:7-1905 |
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| Record created | May 16, 2008 |
| Record URL |
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