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Virgin and Child thumbnail 2
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Virgin and Child

Statuette
ca. 1850-1880 (made)
Artist/Maker
Unknown
Place of origin
Germany (made)

The group is based on an Upper Rhenish sculpture of the late 15th century. Although this composition follows its late medieval sources quite convincingly, the arrangement of the drapery at the back and the treatment of the throne are the invention of a 19th century carver. Other versions exist of the composition in materials such as bloodstone, porphyry, ivory, marble and boxwood, indicating that many version were made to be sold to a wide range of collectors. Like many impressive objects of dubious authenticity it was once in the Spitzer collection for which it may have originally been made.


Object details

Categories
Access_to_Images 2003
Sculpture
Christianity
SCRAN
Object type
Statuette
TitleVirgin and Child (generic title)
Materials and techniques
Carved boxwood
Boxwood
Carving
Brief description
Statuette, boxwood, of the Virgin and Child, made in Germany, ca. 1850 - 1880
Physical description
The Virgin seated on a bench in front of which are two angels bearing a vacant shield. Wearing a veil over her hair and a long robe falling in folds to her feet. She holds the naked Child to her bare breast.
Dimensions
  • Height: 14.5cm
  • Width: 9cm
  • Depth: 5.5cm
Credit line
Bequeathed by George Salting
Object history
Formerly Spitzer collection, then Salting collection. Bequeathed to the V&A by Salting.
The group is based on an Upper Rhenish sculpture of the late 15th century. Although this composition follows its late medieval sources quite convincingly, the arrangement of the drapery at the back and the treatment of the throne are the invention of a 19th century carver.
Subjects depicted
Infant
Mother
Putti
Shield
Mary (Virgin Mary)
Jesus Christ
Summary
The group is based on an Upper Rhenish sculpture of the late 15th century. Although this composition follows its late medieval sources quite convincingly, the arrangement of the drapery at the back and the treatment of the throne are the invention of a 19th century carver. Other versions exist of the composition in materials such as bloodstone, porphyry, ivory, marble and boxwood, indicating that many version were made to be sold to a wide range of collectors. Like many impressive objects of dubious authenticity it was once in the Spitzer collection for which it may have originally been made.
Bibliographic references
  • 'Salting Bequest (A. 70 to A. 1029-1910) / Murray Bequest (A. 1030 to A. 1096-1910)'. In: List of Works of Art Acquired by the Victoria and Albert Museum (Department of Architecture and Sculpture). London: Printed under the Authority of his Majesty's Stationery Office, by Eyre and Spottiswoode, Limited, East Harding Street, EC, p. 86
  • Trusted, Marjorie, ed. The Making of Sculpture. The Materials and Techniques of European Sculpture. London: 2007, p. 175, pl. 326
  • Jopek, Norbert. German Sculpture 1430-1540, A Catalogue of the Collection in the Victoria and Albert Museum. London, 2002, p. 156, cat.no. 74
Collection
Sculpture Collection
Accession number
A.533-1910

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Record createdMarch 5, 2004
Record URL
https://collections.vam.ac.uk/item/O96283/virgin-and-child-statuette-unknown/
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