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Rosary bead - St James the Greater

St James the Greater

  • Object:

    Rosary bead

  • Place of origin:

    Santiago de Compostela, Spain (made)

  • Date:

    ca. 1520-1650 (made)

  • Artist/Maker:

    unknown (production)

  • Materials and Techniques:

    Jet

  • Credit Line:

    Lt. Col. G. B. Croft-Lyons Bequest

  • Museum number:

    M.813-1926

  • Gallery location:

    In store

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This relief carved in jet with St. James dressed as a pilgrim was probably made in Spain, in about 1520-1650. it seems that this is a fragment of what was once a two-sided relief, with perhaps a crucifix figure carved on the missing side. In that case, it waws almost certainly intended as a decorative bead for a rosary.

Physical description

The oval relief depicts the bearded St. James dressed as a pilgrim. He is shown standing, holding a book (the Gospels) in his left hand, and a staff in his right. He wears a knee-length robe and cloak, along with a hat, to which a shell is attached. A gourd and triangular pouch are represented fixed to his staff. Through the top a hole has been drilled, while the base terminates in the form of a scallop shell.

Place of Origin

Santiago de Compostela, Spain (made)

Date

ca. 1520-1650 (made)

Artist/maker

unknown (production)

Materials and Techniques

Jet

Dimensions

Height: 7.1 cm, Width: 4 cm

Descriptive line

St James the Greater, Jet, Spain (Santiago de Compostela), about 1520-1650

Bibliographic References (Citation, Note/Abstract, NAL no)

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, p.144, cat. no. 70.

Exhibition History

Europalia 85 España: Santiago de Compostela: 1000Ans de Pèlèrinage Européen (Abbaye Saint-Pièrre, Centrum voor Kunst en Cultur 29/09/1985-22/12/1985)

Materials

Jet

Subjects depicted

James (Saint, the Greater)

Categories

Sculpture; Christianity

Collection code

SCP

Download image
Qr_O89677
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