St Stephen
Statuette
15th century (made)
15th century (made)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
St Stephen is shown standing with three stones in his right hand and a closed book in his left. There is also a stone on his head and he wears a dalmatic and amice. St Stephen was stoned to death.
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 Stephen (generic title) |
| Materials and techniques | Carved, painted and gilt alabaster |
| Brief description | Alabaster statuette depicting St Stephen. English, 15th century. |
| Physical description | This small figure shows the beardless saint standing with three stones in his right hand and a closed book in his left. A stone is on his head. He wears a dalmatic and amice. The figure has been damaged and repaired at the neck. Traces of gilding remain on the hair and robes of the saint. The book and the shoes are red. The back of the figure has two holes, one plugged with lead with a latten wire attached. |
| Dimensions |
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| Style | |
| Credit line | Given by Dr W. L. Hildburgh FSA |
| Object history | Given by Dr W.L. Hildburgh in 1946. |
| Subjects depicted | |
| Summary | St Stephen is shown standing with three stones in his right hand and a closed book in his left. There is also a stone on his head and he wears a dalmatic and amice. St Stephen was stoned to death. 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. 151 (cat. 80), ill. ISBN 0-7148-8014-0 |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | A.198-1946 |
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| Record created | November 28, 2002 |
| Record URL |
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