The Virgin
Statuette
16th century (made)
16th century (made)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
This statuette is by an unknown flemish artist from the 16th century and is made of carved boxwood sitting on a carved base of ebonised wood.
It represents the Virgin Mary standing with her head raised, her hands thrown out in a gesture of grief.
Ebonising is a technique used to stain or finish-black wood in imitation of ebony.
Ebony is one of the most intensely black woods. Its very high density (it sinks in water), fine texture, and ability to be polished very smoothly, makes it a very valuable ornamental wood.
It represents the Virgin Mary standing with her head raised, her hands thrown out in a gesture of grief.
Ebonising is a technique used to stain or finish-black wood in imitation of ebony.
Ebony is one of the most intensely black woods. Its very high density (it sinks in water), fine texture, and ability to be polished very smoothly, makes it a very valuable ornamental wood.
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Title | The Virgin (generic title) |
| Materials and techniques | Carved boxwood on a carved base of ebonised wood |
| Brief description | Statuette, carved boxwood on base of ebonised wood, The Virgin, Flemish, 16th century |
| Physical description | The Virgin stands with her head raised, her hands thrown out in a gesture of grief. On a carved base of ebonised wood. The hands of the Virgin appear to be modern replacements. |
| Dimensions |
|
| Object history | Bought, £5. |
| Subjects depicted | |
| Summary | This statuette is by an unknown flemish artist from the 16th century and is made of carved boxwood sitting on a carved base of ebonised wood. It represents the Virgin Mary standing with her head raised, her hands thrown out in a gesture of grief. Ebonising is a technique used to stain or finish-black wood in imitation of ebony. Ebony is one of the most intensely black woods. Its very high density (it sinks in water), fine texture, and ability to be polished very smoothly, makes it a very valuable ornamental wood. |
| Bibliographic reference | List of Works of Art Acquired by the Victoria and Albert Museum in the Years 1905 - 1908. In: List of Works of Art Acquired by the Victoria and Albert Museum, During the Year 1907, Arranged According to the Dates of Acquisition with Appendix and Indices. London: Printed for His Majesty's Stationery Office, by Eyre and Spottiswoode, Limited, 1909, p. 170 |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | 987-1907 |
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| Record created | February 13, 2009 |
| Record URL |
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