Judith with the head of Holofernes
Statuette
ca. 1750 (made)
ca. 1750 (made)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
This is an ivory and wood statuette made in Germany in ca. 1750. The statuette represents Judith, with head turned over the left shoulder, holding in her left hand the head of Holofernes. The story of Judith is taken from the Apocrypha. Although reminiscent of the style of Simon Troger, the relatively coarse style of carving seen here suggests that this figure is unlikely to be by him.
Judith, a rich and beautiful Jewish widow, was the heroine of the Jews planning and carrying out the assassination of the Assyrian general Holofernes who's army was besieging the Jewish city of Bethulia. She approached Holofernes pretending to be a traitor to her city. When he attempted to seduce her she decapitated him, and in the confusion the Assyrians fled. Her image is used to symbolise Humility, and Virtue overcoming Vice.
Judith, a rich and beautiful Jewish widow, was the heroine of the Jews planning and carrying out the assassination of the Assyrian general Holofernes who's army was besieging the Jewish city of Bethulia. She approached Holofernes pretending to be a traitor to her city. When he attempted to seduce her she decapitated him, and in the confusion the Assyrians fled. Her image is used to symbolise Humility, and Virtue overcoming Vice.
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Title | Judith with the head of Holofernes (generic title) |
| Materials and techniques | Walnut wood and ivory carved |
| Brief description | Statuette, carved walnut wood and ivory, of Judith with the head of Holofernes, German, ca. 1750 |
| Physical description | Judith stands frontally, turning her head to her left, and stepping forward with her left foot. She holds in her left hand the decapitated head of Holofernes, grasping it by a lock of hair. The irises of the eyes are coloured black. She raises her right hand, and her mouth is open as if speaking. Judith's head, the upper part of her body and arms, her calves and feet, as well as the head of Holofernes, are carved ivory. Her headdress and drapery are of walnut. The figure is set onto a walnut base, which is carved with stylised grass and foliage. The whole is set onto a later wood base covered in velvet. |
| Dimensions |
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| Object history | Bought for £11 from W. and F. Wright, Wardour Street, London in 1870. |
| Subjects depicted | |
| Summary | This is an ivory and wood statuette made in Germany in ca. 1750. The statuette represents Judith, with head turned over the left shoulder, holding in her left hand the head of Holofernes. The story of Judith is taken from the Apocrypha. Although reminiscent of the style of Simon Troger, the relatively coarse style of carving seen here suggests that this figure is unlikely to be by him. Judith, a rich and beautiful Jewish widow, was the heroine of the Jews planning and carrying out the assassination of the Assyrian general Holofernes who's army was besieging the Jewish city of Bethulia. She approached Holofernes pretending to be a traitor to her city. When he attempted to seduce her she decapitated him, and in the confusion the Assyrians fled. Her image is used to symbolise Humility, and Virtue overcoming Vice. |
| Bibliographic references |
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| Collection | |
| Accession number | 45-1870 |
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| Record created | August 29, 2008 |
| Record URL |
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