St Barbara
Statuette
15th century (made)
15th century (made)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
St Barbara stands holding her robe with her left hand and placing her right hand on a tower which stands on the ground. The statuette is carved on the back. The tower symbolises St Barbara's imprisonment by her father.
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 Barbara (generic title) |
| Materials and techniques | Carved alabaster |
| Brief description | Alabaster statuette depicting St Barbara. English or Flemish, 15th century |
| Physical description | The saint stands, holding her robe with her left hand and placing her right hand on her tower, which stands on the ground. The statuette is conceived in relief but carved on the back. No colour. Several repaired breaks. |
| 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 1936. Given by Dr Hildburgh in 1946. |
| Subjects depicted | |
| Summary | St Barbara stands holding her robe with her left hand and placing her right hand on a tower which stands on the ground. The statuette is carved on the back. The tower symbolises St Barbara's imprisonment by her father. 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. |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | A.189-1946 |
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| Record created | December 17, 2002 |
| Record URL |
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