Mendicant Friar of the Conception thumbnail 1
Mendicant Friar of the Conception thumbnail 2
Not currently on display at the V&A

Mendicant Friar of the Conception

Ecclesiastical Figure
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 Conceptionist friar. Although the Conceptionists, founded in 1484 by St. Beatrice of Silva (1424-1492) are an order of nuns, many nunneries were under the jurisdiction of friars who served as confessors, priests, teachers and spiritual mentors. Conceptionist nuns wear a white habit with a distinctive blue cloak, which is mirrored in the friar's white tunic and blue scapular, cloak and short hooded cape.


Object details

Categories
Object type
TitleMendicant Friar of the Conception
Materials and techniques
Figure made of tow and wax, dressed in linen and woollen materials.
Brief description
Wax and tow figure dressed as a Mendicant friar of the Conception
Physical description
Figure made of wax and tow, dressed in linen and woollen fabrics.
White tunic, blue scapular, cloak, cape and hood. White leather belt. Bare feet
Dimensions
  • Including stand height: 31cm
Average approximate height of the figures in this set
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 Conceptionist friar. Although the Conceptionists, founded in 1484 by St. Beatrice of Silva (1424-1492) are an order of nuns, many nunneries were under the jurisdiction of friars who served as confessors, priests, teachers and spiritual mentors. Conceptionist nuns wear a white habit with a distinctive blue cloak, which is mirrored in the friar's white tunic and blue scapular, cloak and short hooded cape.
Collection
Accession number
1212:19-1905

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Record createdMay 16, 2008
Record URL
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