St James the Great
Panel
15th century (made)
15th century (made)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
St James the Great is shown standing under a canopy with his head turned to the left. He wears a hat with an upturned brim and carries a closed book in his left hand. A satchel hangs at his left side from a strap over his right shoulder.
Saints are the heroes and heroines of Christian faith. In the 14th and 15th centuries, they were a popular subject for alabaster carvings. Religious themes penetrated private life, so devotional images of saints were sculpted not only for church interiors, but also for individuals to contemplate within the privacy of their homes.
Saints are the heroes and heroines of Christian faith. In the 14th and 15th centuries, they were a popular subject for alabaster carvings. Religious themes penetrated private life, so devotional images of saints were sculpted not only for church interiors, but also for individuals to contemplate within the privacy of their homes.
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Title | St James the Great (generic title) |
| Materials and techniques | Carved, painted and gilt alabaster |
| Brief description | Alabaster panel depicting St James the Great. English, 15th century. |
| Physical description | This small panel shows the bearded figure of the saint standing under a canopy, his head turned to his left. He wears a hat with an upturned brim, and carries a closed book in his left hand. A satchel hangs at his left side from a strap over his right shoulder. He is barefooted. The top of the panel has been broken off. The right side of the panel is chipped. The saint's right hand and the staff are missing. The very slightest traces of the usual daisy pattern remain at the bottom of the panel. There are traces of red on the folds of the saint's cloak, and traces of gilding on his hair and beard on the background and on the canopy. The back of the panel bears two lead-plugged holes, one with a latten wire attached. |
| Dimensions |
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| Style | |
| Credit line | Given by Dr W. L. Hildburgh FSA |
| Object history | On loan from Dr W.L. Hildburgh since 1931. Given by Dr Hildburgh in 1946. |
| Subjects depicted | |
| Summary | St James the Great is shown standing under a canopy with his head turned to the left. He wears a hat with an upturned brim and carries a closed book in his left hand. A satchel hangs at his left side from a strap over his right shoulder. Saints are the heroes and heroines of Christian faith. In the 14th and 15th centuries, they were a popular subject for alabaster carvings. Religious themes penetrated private life, so devotional images of saints were sculpted not only for church interiors, but also for individuals to contemplate within the privacy of their homes. |
| Bibliographic reference | Cheetham, Francis. English Medieval Alabasters. Oxford: Phaidon-Christie's Limited, 1984. p. 104 (cat. 33), ill. ISBN 0-7148-8014-0 |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | A.183-1946 |
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| Record created | November 27, 2002 |
| Record URL |
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