Not currently on display at the V&A

The Virgin and Child

Relief
ca. 1700 - ca. 1720 (made)
Artist/Maker
Unknown
Place of origin
Spain (made)

This ivory relief, made in about 17000-1720 represents the Virgin and Child. Although it is difficult to point to exact parallels, the elegant style of this relief suggests it may have been carved in Madrid in the early eighteenth century. It is probably based on an engraved source, as yet untraced. The Virgin is shown about to suckle the Christ Child, who is lying on her lap.


Object details

Categories
Reliefs
Sculpture
Christianity
Religion
Object type
Relief
TitleThe Virgin and Child (generic title)
Materials and techniques
Ivory
Ivory
Brief description
Relief, ivory, 'The Virgin and Child', Spanish, ca. 1700-1720
Physical description
Ivory relief with the Virgin wearing a veil on her head; she is seated and seen half-length, about to suckle the haloed Christ Child lying on her knees. Behind are clouds and two cherubim. The thin relief is framed in a cartouche with cresting and a cherubim at the apex.
Dimensions
  • Height: 11cm
  • Width: 6cm
Content description
The Virgin is shown about to suckle the Christ Child, who is lying on her lap.
Credit line
Given by Dr W.L. Hildburgh F.S.A. in 1926.
Object history
Although it is difficult to point to exact parallels, the elegant style of this relief suggests it may have been carved in Madrid in the early eighteenth century. It is probably based on an engraved source, as yet untraced.
Subjects depicted
Cherub Heads
Scroll
Virgin and Child
Summary
This ivory relief, made in about 17000-1720 represents the Virgin and Child. Although it is difficult to point to exact parallels, the elegant style of this relief suggests it may have been carved in Madrid in the early eighteenth century. It is probably based on an engraved source, as yet untraced. The Virgin is shown about to suckle the Christ Child, who is lying on her lap.
Bibliographic references
  • Longhurst, Margaret H. Catalogue of Carvings in Ivory. London: Published under the Authority of the Board of Education, 1927-1929, Part II. p. 111
  • Trusted, Marjorie, Baroque & Later Ivories, Victoria & Albert Museum, London, 2013 p. 347
  • Trusted, Marjorie, Baroque & Later Ivories, Victoria & Albert Museum, London, 2013, p. 347, cat. no. 345
Collection
Sculpture Collection
Accession number
A.41-1926

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Record createdJune 24, 2009
Record URL
https://collections.vam.ac.uk/item/O349436/the-virgin-and-child-relief-unknown/
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