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The Virgin and Child

Statuette
13th century to 15th century (made)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

This statuette of the Virgin and Child shows the Virgin seated on a chair, holding the infant Saviour on her knees. At the back is a cavity for relics.
It is made in Spain between the 13th century and 15th century. Images of the Virgin and Child were believed to have talismatic and protective properties. Some compositions, particularly those associated with miracle-working images, became very popular and were widely reproduced.


Object details

Categories
Object type
TitleThe Virgin and Child (generic title)
Materials and techniques
Carved wood, painted and gilt
Brief description
Statuette, wood painted and gilded, the Virgin and Child, probably Spanish, 13th - 15th century
Physical description
The Virgin is seated on a chair, holding the infant Saviour on her knees. At the back is a cavity for relics.
Dimensions
  • Height: 59.69cm
Object history
Bought, £4, 6s.
Subjects depicted
Summary
This statuette of the Virgin and Child shows the Virgin seated on a chair, holding the infant Saviour on her knees. At the back is a cavity for relics.
It is made in Spain between the 13th century and 15th century. Images of the Virgin and Child were believed to have talismatic and protective properties. Some compositions, particularly those associated with miracle-working images, became very popular and were widely reproduced.
Bibliographic references
  • Inventory of Art Objects Acquired in the Year 1857. In: Inventory of the Objects in the Art Division of the Museum at South Kensington, Arranged According to the Dates of their Acquisition. Vol I. London: Printed by George E. Eyre and William Spottiswoode for H.M.S.O., 1868, p. 34
  • Maskell, A. Wood Sculpture. London, 1911, p. 226, pl. XXXVI
Collection
Accession number
4315-1857

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Record createdJune 24, 2009
Record URL
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