A Crucifix Figure
Figure
ca. 1600-1700 (made)
ca. 1600-1700 (made)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
This jet figure from a crucifix is made in Santiago de Compostela in Spain in ca. 1600-1700. The prime function of jets seems to have been to signify that pilgrims had completed their journeys, and reached the shrine of St James (the patron Saint of Spain) at the Cathedral of Santiago, which pilgrims did over the course of six hundred years, from the twelfth to the eighteenth century.
This figure is originally from a crucifix. It seems likely that the figure was made of separate pieces of jet joined together, and this is why it was more vulnerable to damage. Twenty-one small holes drilled into the crown of thorns almost certainly held thorns. Also the arms were dowelled in.
Despite its fragmentary condition, this is one of the most impressive jets in the V&A collection. The anatomy of the body is subtly conveyed, and the drapery is similarly suggested in fluent manner. Unlike many of the surviving Spanish jets, this one seems to be by a sculptor aware of carved work in other materials such as wood, rather than a craftsman with a poor grasp of sculptural traditions.
This figure is originally from a crucifix. It seems likely that the figure was made of separate pieces of jet joined together, and this is why it was more vulnerable to damage. Twenty-one small holes drilled into the crown of thorns almost certainly held thorns. Also the arms were dowelled in.
Despite its fragmentary condition, this is one of the most impressive jets in the V&A collection. The anatomy of the body is subtly conveyed, and the drapery is similarly suggested in fluent manner. Unlike many of the surviving Spanish jets, this one seems to be by a sculptor aware of carved work in other materials such as wood, rather than a craftsman with a poor grasp of sculptural traditions.
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Title | A Crucifix Figure (generic title) |
| Materials and techniques | Jet |
| Brief description | Figure, jet, fragment of a crucifix figure, Spanish (Santiago de Compostela), about 1600-1700 |
| Physical description | Fragment from a crucifix figure; the arms and legs are missing, the nose is damaged, and there are chips elsewhere. notably on the loincloth. Twenty-one holes drilled into the crown of thorns almost certainly held thorns, perhaps made of metal, or possibly wood. |
| Dimensions |
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| Credit line | Given by Dr W. L. Hildburgh FSA |
| Object history | Given by Dr. W. L. Hildburgh, F. S. A., 1953. Acquired by him in Toledo before 1917. Historical significance: Despite its fragmentary condition, this is one of the most impressive jets in the V&A collection. The anatomy of the body is subtly conveyed, and the drapery is similarly suggested in fluent manner. Unlike many of the surviving Spanish jets, this one seems to be by a sculptor aware of carved work in other materials such as wood, rather than a craftsman with a poor grasp of sculptural traditions. |
| Historical context | From a crucifix. It seems likely that the figure was made of separate pieces of jet joined together, and this is why it was more vulnerable to damage. Twenty-one small holes drilled into the crown of thorns almost certainly held thorns. Also the arms were dowelled in. |
| Subjects depicted | |
| Summary | This jet figure from a crucifix is made in Santiago de Compostela in Spain in ca. 1600-1700. The prime function of jets seems to have been to signify that pilgrims had completed their journeys, and reached the shrine of St James (the patron Saint of Spain) at the Cathedral of Santiago, which pilgrims did over the course of six hundred years, from the twelfth to the eighteenth century. This figure is originally from a crucifix. It seems likely that the figure was made of separate pieces of jet joined together, and this is why it was more vulnerable to damage. Twenty-one small holes drilled into the crown of thorns almost certainly held thorns. Also the arms were dowelled in. Despite its fragmentary condition, this is one of the most impressive jets in the V&A collection. The anatomy of the body is subtly conveyed, and the drapery is similarly suggested in fluent manner. Unlike many of the surviving Spanish jets, this one seems to be by a sculptor aware of carved work in other materials such as wood, rather than a craftsman with a poor grasp of sculptural traditions. |
| Bibliographic reference | Trusted, Marjorie. Spanish sculpture : catalogue of the post-medieval Spanish sculpture in wood, terracotta, alabaster, marble, stone, lead and jet in the Victoria and Albert Museum. London : Victoria and Albert Museum, 1996, pp.149-150, cat. no. 78. |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | A.13-1953 |
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| Record created | January 14, 2004 |
| Record URL |
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