Not currently on display at the V&A

St Barbara

Panel
15th century (made)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

Saint Barbara, wearing a tight fitting gown and a cloak draped from her left shoulder, holds a small tower decorated with a boss in her right hand and a palm in her left hand.
The tower refers to her imprisonment by her father.


Object details

Categories
Object type
TitleSt Barbara (generic title)
Materials and techniques
Carved, painted and gilt alabaster
Brief description
Alabaster panel depicting St Barbara. English, 15th century.
Physical description
The saint stands with her head inclined to her right; she wears a fillet. In her right hand she holds a small tower decorated with a boss. In her left hand she carries a palm. She wears a tight-fitting gown, and a cloak draped from the left shoulder.

The panel has been broken horizontally in two places and repaired. The top of the spire of the tower and the palm above hand level are missing. Details of carving on the head are worn. There are traces of a reddish-brown colour on the tower and of blue and red on the saint's robe. There is gilding on the saint's fillet and traces of gilding on the tower and cloak. There are also traces of the characteristic green ground at the bottom of the panel. The panel has been backed with plaster and slate. The bottom has been cut away.
Dimensions
  • Height: 41.5cm
  • Width: 12.6cm
From Cheetham, English Medieval Alabasters, 1984.
Style
Credit line
Given by Dr W. L. Hildburgh FSA
Object history
On loan to the Museum from Dr W.L. Hildburgh since 1923. On loan to the Museum since 1923. Given by Dr Hildburgh in 1946.
Subjects depicted
Summary
Saint Barbara, wearing a tight fitting gown and a cloak draped from her left shoulder, holds a small tower decorated with a boss in her right hand and a palm in her left hand.
The tower refers to her imprisonment by her father.
Associated object
A.46-1946 (Set)
Bibliographic reference
Cheetham, Francis. English Medieval Alabasters. Oxford: Phaidon-Christie's Limited, 1984. p. 78 (cat. 7), ill. ISBN 0-7148-8014-0
Collection
Accession number
A.45-1946

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Record createdNovember 29, 2002
Record URL
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