Not currently on display at the V&A

Statuette

c.1300-1310 (made)
Artist/Maker
Unknown
Place of origin
France (made)

The Virgin wears a red gown and blue mantle falling down from her shoulders and over her right arm, following the supposedly traditional colour scheme of the Virgin's clothes. However, both the gown and the mantle have been overpainted and a light blue layer and a considerable amount of gilding can be detected underneath. Similarly the Christ child has a blue robe with extensive traces of gilding underneath. Both the Virgin and Christ-Child have circular holes in the top of their heads and there is a large circular hole underneath the base.


Object details

Category
Sculpture
Object type
Statuette
Parts
This object consists of 2 parts.

  • Statue the Virgin and Child
  • Statuette Virgin and Child Fragment
Materials and techniques
Carved and painted walnut
Walnut
Carved
Painted
Brief description
Statuette, Virgin and Child, painted and gilded.
Physical description
Virgin and Child, statuette in carved and painted walnut.
Dimensions
  • Height: 34.5in
Object history
Bought for £30.
Production
Eastern France (Burgundy- Champagne)
Subjects depicted
Virgin Mary
Jesus Christ
Summary
The Virgin wears a red gown and blue mantle falling down from her shoulders and over her right arm, following the supposedly traditional colour scheme of the Virgin's clothes. However, both the gown and the mantle have been overpainted and a light blue layer and a considerable amount of gilding can be detected underneath. Similarly the Christ child has a blue robe with extensive traces of gilding underneath. Both the Virgin and Christ-Child have circular holes in the top of their heads and there is a large circular hole underneath the base.
Bibliographic references
  • List of Objects in the Art Division South Kensington Museum acquired during the Year 1895. Arranged according to the dates of acquisition, with appendix and indices. London: Her Majesty's Sationary Office. Wyman and Sons. 1897. pp.111
  • Williamson, Paul. and Evelyn, Paul. Northern Gothic Sculpture 1200-1450. London. 1988. pp. 66-69
  • Maskell, A. Wood Sculpture. London. 1911. pp. 234-35. pl. XXXVIII.
Collection
Sculpture Collection
Accession number
746:2-1895

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Record createdJanuary 26, 2009
Record URL
https://collections.vam.ac.uk/item/O184839/statuette-unknown/
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