Relief; Scene from life of St Edmund
- Object:
- Place of origin:
England, Great Britain (made)
- Date:
fifteenth century (made)
fifteenth century (made)
- Artist/Maker:
- Materials and Techniques:
Upper part has gilt backing with traces of gesso
- Credit Line:
Given by Dr Hildburgh F.S.A.
- Museum number:
- Gallery location:
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There is some debate about whether the first panel in this series illustrates an incident from the life of St Edmund or alternatively that of St Radegund.
St Edmund was a King of East Anglia who was venerated as a martyr soon after his death at the hands of Danish Vikings in 869AD. However it is unclear where the scene relates to his legend.
Alternatively the image could relate to an event in the life of St Radegund, Queen to King Clothaire. She entered a nunnery with her husbands consent however he changed his mind and when he set out to recover her, she fled into the fields accompanied by two other nuns hiding behind oats which miraculously ripened. However this possibility does not explain the figure of a king who is shown looking over a stage backcloth at the top of the image.
Physical description
Three reliefs, alabaster.
[Relief] The first panel shows a female figure hiding behind oats. Bound sheaves lie on the ground behind her (right). On the right are three armed men. On the left a husbandman with a basket is sowing. At the top, as though looking over a stage back-cloth is a king with hands crossed flanked by two soldiers.
Place of Origin
England, Great Britain (made)
Date
fifteenth century (made)
fifteenth century (made)
Artist/maker
unknown (production)
Materials and Techniques
Upper part has gilt backing with traces of gesso
Dimensions
Height: 15.5 in, Width: 10.5 in
[Relief] Height: 15.5 in, Width: 10.5 in
Object history note
Given by Dr W.L Hildburgh after having been on loan since 1926. Acquired by him from Dr P. Nelson. Formerly in the collection of Fred A. Grieg.
[Relief] Given by Dr W.L Hildburgh after having been on loan since 1926. Acquired by him from Dr P. Nelson. Formerly in collection of Fred A. Greig.
Descriptive line
Relief, alabaster, scene from the life of St Edmund?, England, fifteenth century
Bibliographic References (Citation, Note/Abstract, NAL no)
Nelson, Transactions of Historic Society of Lancashire and Cheshire 1924
Nelson, Transactions of Historical Society of Lancs. and Cheshire 1924
Exhibition History
English Medieval Art (Victoria and Albert Museum 01/01/1930-31/12/1930)
English Alabaster Work (The Society of Antiquaries of London 01/01/1910-31/12/1910)
English Medieval Art (Victoria and Albert Museum 01/01/1930-31/12/1930)
English Alabaster Work (The Society of Antiquaries of London 01/01/1910-31/12/1910)
Materials
Alabaster; Gesso
Techniques
Painted; Gilt; Carved
Subjects depicted
Basket; Sickle; Edmund (Saint Edmund the Martyr, King of East Anglia); Sheaves of corn; Oats
Collection code
SCP
