Not currently on display at the V&A

Cherub

Head
ca. 1700 (made)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

This cherub head, carved in a broad style, almost certainly formed part of a large structure, probably a piece of church furniture. Pine was widely used for structural pieces, or broad forms, rather than for fine details. This head may be English, but pine wood is commonly found in the Alpine regions of Austria and elsewhere, where it is widely used in art, and this piece might indeed be from the Tyrol.


Object details

Categories
Object type
TitleCherub (generic title)
Materials and techniques
Pine
Brief description
Cherub head, pine, anonymous artist, England or possibly Tyrol, ca. 1700
Physical description
Head of a child looking to the right, the long hair parted in the middle and curled over the ears. Remains of drapery over the left shoulder. Considerably worm eaten, pitted and chipped.
Dimensions
  • Height: 26cm
Object history
Purchased for £3 from Mr F.H Sikes in London, in 1932.
Subject depicted
Summary
This cherub head, carved in a broad style, almost certainly formed part of a large structure, probably a piece of church furniture. Pine was widely used for structural pieces, or broad forms, rather than for fine details. This head may be English, but pine wood is commonly found in the Alpine regions of Austria and elsewhere, where it is widely used in art, and this piece might indeed be from the Tyrol.
Bibliographic reference
Bilbey, Diane with Trusted, Marjorie, British Sculpture 1470 to 2000. A Concise Catalogue of the Collection at the Victoria and Albert Museum, London, 2002. ISBN 1-85177-395-9. pp.166-7 cat. no. 225
Collection
Accession number
A.54-1932

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Record createdJanuary 13, 2003
Record URL
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