We don’t have an image of this object online yet. V&A Images may have a photograph that we can’t show online, but it may be possible to supply one to you. Email us at vaimages@vam.ac.uk for guidance about fees and timescales, quoting the accession number: A.4-1957
Find out about our images

Not currently on display at the V&A

Samson and the Philistines

Statuette
ca. 1700 - ca. 1750 (made)
Artist/Maker
Unknown
Place of origin
Germany (made)

Samson is a biblical figure. Samson means either "of the sun" or "one who serves (god)". Samson is a Herculean-like figure, with tremendous strength given by God to combat his enemies and perform heroic acts, like the wrestling with the lion. When he was attacked by the lion, he simply rips it apart, grabbing it at the mouth.


Object details

Categories
Christianity
Sculpture
Object type
Statuette
TitleSamson and the Philistines (generic title)
Materials and techniques
Limewood
Limewood
Brief description
Statuette, limewood, Samson and Philistines, German, first half of the 18th century
Physical description
On a small ledge of ground Samson straddles over a crouching Philistine, whose head is being thrust down by Samson and whose hands clutch at Samson's thigh and hip. Another Philistine lies dead beneath the crouching Philistine and behind Samson.
Dimensions
  • Height: 23cm
Object history
Given by Sir Eric Miller.
Subjects depicted
Philistine
Samson
Summary
Samson is a biblical figure. Samson means either "of the sun" or "one who serves (god)". Samson is a Herculean-like figure, with tremendous strength given by God to combat his enemies and perform heroic acts, like the wrestling with the lion. When he was attacked by the lion, he simply rips it apart, grabbing it at the mouth.
Collection
Sculpture Collection
Accession number
A.4-1957

About this object record

Explore the Collections contains over a million catalogue records, and over half a million images. It is a working database that includes information compiled over the life of the museum. Some of our records may contain offensive and discriminatory language, or reflect outdated ideas, practice and analysis. We are committed to addressing these issues, and to review and update our records accordingly.

You can write to us to suggest improvements to the record.

Suggest feedback

Record createdJune 24, 2009
Record URL
https://collections.vam.ac.uk/item/O310814/samson-and-the-philistines-statuette-unknown/
Download as: JSON