Standing Virgin and Child
Statuette
late 14th century (made)
late 14th century (made)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
The bird in the Christ-child's hands probably represents a goldfinch, which symbolised the Passion of Christ because of its fondness for thorns and thistles, suggesting Christ's crown of thorns.
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Title | Standing Virgin and Child (generic title) |
| Materials and techniques | Carved, painted and gilt alabaster |
| Brief description | Alabaster statuette depicting the Virgin and Child. English, late 14th century. |
| Physical description | The crowned Virgin, wearing a gown and a cloak draped from her left shoulder, holds a curly-haired Christ Child on her right arm. She holds a sceptre with leaf-like decoration in her left hand. The Child wears a gown and a cloak. He looks to the right, and in his right hand he holds a bird, probably a goldfinch, his left hand on its wing. There is a break at the Virgin's neck and across the sceptre. There is a little green paint and the usual daisy pattern at the bottom of the figure. Traces of red paint remain on folds of the Virgin's cloak. There are traces of gilding on the Virgin's crown and hair and on her sceptre and also on the Child's hair. The middle of the back of the figure is scooped out. There are two large holes, together with two usual lead-plugged holes with a latten wire attached to one. The bottom has been slightly cut away. |
| Dimensions |
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| Style | |
| Credit line | Given by Dr W. L. Hildburgh FSA |
| Object history | Formerly in a church in Brittany. Acquired by Dr W.L. Hildburgh from P. Nelson. On loan from Dr Hildburgh to the Museum since 1930. Given by Dr. Hildburgh in 1946. |
| Subjects depicted | |
| Summary | The bird in the Christ-child's hands probably represents a goldfinch, which symbolised the Passion of Christ because of its fondness for thorns and thistles, suggesting Christ's crown of thorns. |
| Bibliographic references |
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| Other number | 63 (1932 Eton Medieval exhibition) - Exhibition number |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | A.170-1946 |
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| Record created | November 26, 2002 |
| Record URL |
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