Benedictine Nun
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 Benedictine nun. Benedictine monks and nuns follow the 6th century Rule of St. Benedict, which encourages a peaceful life devoted to prayer and work. The black Benedictine habit, relieved solely by a white wimple, is one of the most widely recognised nun's habits. It is very similar to the Ursuline nun's habit, (see 1212:1-1905) but does not have a belt, and is worn with a black scapular over the tunic.
This figure represents a Benedictine nun. Benedictine monks and nuns follow the 6th century Rule of St. Benedict, which encourages a peaceful life devoted to prayer and work. The black Benedictine habit, relieved solely by a white wimple, is one of the most widely recognised nun's habits. It is very similar to the Ursuline nun's habit, (see 1212:1-1905) but does not have a belt, and is worn with a black scapular over the tunic.
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Title | Benedictine Nun |
| Materials and techniques | Figure made of tow and wax, dressed in linen and woollen materials. |
| Brief description | Wax and tow figure dressed as a Benedictine nun |
| Physical description | Figure made of wax and tow, dressed in linen and woollen fabrics. Black tunic and scapular, white wimple, black veil |
| Dimensions |
|
| 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 Benedictine nun. Benedictine monks and nuns follow the 6th century Rule of St. Benedict, which encourages a peaceful life devoted to prayer and work. The black Benedictine habit, relieved solely by a white wimple, is one of the most widely recognised nun's habits. It is very similar to the Ursuline nun's habit, (see 1212:1-1905) but does not have a belt, and is worn with a black scapular over the tunic. |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | 1212:46-1905 |
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| Record created | May 16, 2008 |
| Record URL |
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