St Barbara
Statuette
late 15th century (made)
late 15th century (made)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
This statuette is by an unknown artist from the late 15th century from Germany and represents the standing figure of St. Barbara with a small tower in her left hand.
Saint Barbara was a Christian saint and martyr. She is the patron saint of artillerymen, military engineers and miners and all professions who work with explosives.
Her legend seems not to have any historical foundation behind it. It tells that her father built a tower with two windows where he shut his daughter in to keep her away from her suitors. Barbara persuaded the workmen to add a third window, which symbolises the Trinity.
Her father later killed her. He then was killed by a lightning and that is why Saint Barbara became the patroness of all professions related to gunfire and firearms.
Saint Barbara was a Christian saint and martyr. She is the patron saint of artillerymen, military engineers and miners and all professions who work with explosives.
Her legend seems not to have any historical foundation behind it. It tells that her father built a tower with two windows where he shut his daughter in to keep her away from her suitors. Barbara persuaded the workmen to add a third window, which symbolises the Trinity.
Her father later killed her. He then was killed by a lightning and that is why Saint Barbara became the patroness of all professions related to gunfire and firearms.
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Title | St Barbara (generic title) |
| Materials and techniques | Pipeclay |
| Brief description | Statuette, pipeclay, St Barbara, Germany, late 15th century |
| Physical description | The statuette represents the standing figure of Saint Barbara with a small tower in her left hand. |
| Dimensions |
|
| Object history | Dug up near Cologne. Bought, 5s. |
| Production | Germany - Siegburg - dug up near Cologne |
| Subjects depicted | |
| Summary | This statuette is by an unknown artist from the late 15th century from Germany and represents the standing figure of St. Barbara with a small tower in her left hand. Saint Barbara was a Christian saint and martyr. She is the patron saint of artillerymen, military engineers and miners and all professions who work with explosives. Her legend seems not to have any historical foundation behind it. It tells that her father built a tower with two windows where he shut his daughter in to keep her away from her suitors. Barbara persuaded the workmen to add a third window, which symbolises the Trinity. Her father later killed her. He then was killed by a lightning and that is why Saint Barbara became the patroness of all professions related to gunfire and firearms. |
| Bibliographic reference | Inventory of Works of Art Acquired by the Victoria and Albert Museum in the Years 1903 - 1904. In: List of Works of Art Acquired by the Victoria and Albert Museum, During the Year 1903, Arranged According to the Dates of Acquisition with Appendix and Indices. London: Printed for His Majesty's Stationery Office, by Wyman and Sons, Limited, 1907, p. 250 |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | 1455-1903 |
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| Record created | November 21, 2008 |
| Record URL |
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