St James the Greater thumbnail 1
Not currently on display at the V&A

St James the Greater

Rosary Bead
ca. 1520-1650 (made)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

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.


Object details

Categories
Object type
TitleSt James the Greater (generic title)
Materials and techniques
Jet
Brief description
St James the Greater, Jet, Spain (Santiago de Compostela), about 1520-1650
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.
Dimensions
  • Height: 7.1cm
  • Width: 4cm
Credit line
Lt. Col. G. B. Croft-Lyons Bequest
Subject depicted
Summary
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.
Bibliographic references
  • 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.
  • Santiago de Compostela : 1000 ans de pèlerinage Européen ; Europalia 85 España, Bruxelles : Crédit Communal, 1985 229
Collection
Accession number
M.813-1926

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Record createdJanuary 16, 2004
Record URL
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