St. Peter
Statuette
second half 16th century (made)
second half 16th century (made)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
This is an alabaster statuette of St. Peter, made in Germany in about 1560-1570. This and its companion piece representing St. Paul (V&A Mus-number 6987-1860) probably formed part of an altarpiece and would have flanked either the Crucifix or the Virgin. Both apostles represent the joint founders of the Christian Church.
Alabaster, a fine grained form of gypsum, is a smooth marble-like stone that was popular for the carving of religious sculpture. Softer than marble, it was much easier to carve and also considerably cheaper.
Alabaster, a fine grained form of gypsum, is a smooth marble-like stone that was popular for the carving of religious sculpture. Softer than marble, it was much easier to carve and also considerably cheaper.
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Title | St. Peter (popular title) |
| Materials and techniques | Alabaster |
| Brief description | Statuette, St Peter, carved alabaster, Germany, second half of the 16th century |
| Physical description | Alabaster statuette of St. Peter holding keys and an open bible. |
| Dimensions |
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| Gallery label | St Peter is wearing a long robe and mantle, holding the keys to the Kingdom of Heaven in his right hand and an open bible in his left. This statuette probably formed part of an altarpiece and would have flanked either the Crucifix or the Virgin,(1993) |
| Object history | Acquired in 1860 for £2. Historical significance: St Peter and St Paul represent the joint founders of the Christian church, |
| Historical context | St Peter probably formed part of an altarpiece and would have flanked either the Crucifix or the Virgin. |
| Production | Previously attributed to Peter Visscher, of Nuremburg and dated 1500. |
| Subjects depicted | |
| Summary | This is an alabaster statuette of St. Peter, made in Germany in about 1560-1570. This and its companion piece representing St. Paul (V&A Mus-number 6987-1860) probably formed part of an altarpiece and would have flanked either the Crucifix or the Virgin. Both apostles represent the joint founders of the Christian Church. Alabaster, a fine grained form of gypsum, is a smooth marble-like stone that was popular for the carving of religious sculpture. Softer than marble, it was much easier to carve and also considerably cheaper. |
| Associated object | 6987-1860 (Ensemble) |
| Bibliographic reference | Inventory of Art Objects Acquired in the Year 1860. In: Inventory of the Objects in the Art Division of the Museum at South Kensington, Arranged According to the Dates of their Acquisition. Vol I. London: Printed by George E. Eyre and William Spottiswoode for H.M.S.O., 1868, p. 42 |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | 6986-1860 |
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| Record created | December 16, 2003 |
| Record URL |
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