Virgin and Child
Statuette
ca. 1850 (made)
ca. 1850 (made)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
This statuette of the Virgin and Child, made in the mid-19th century in France or Italy, is based on a life-size marble figure of the Virgin in Trapani Sicily. The Trapani statue was made in the 14th century and soon became the focus of pilgrimages and was one of the most copied devotional images in Italy. The present Virgin was probably not intended as a fake, but a copy made for devotional purposes.
The production of ivories in historicizing styles in the 19th century flourished in a number of centres, including Cologne, Milan, Toulouse and Cordoba. Although not always made to deceive, unscrupulous dealers often sold them as genuine objects to their clients.
Three dimensional images of the Virgin and Child were ubiquitous from the twelfth to the fifteenth centuries, produced in a wide range of materials and sizes and testifying the overwhelming devotion to th Virgin. Together with the Crucifixion, statues and statuettes of the Virgin and Child were the pricipal objects of devotion in the Christian Church, and vast numbers were made for ecclesisastical, monastic and private worship.
The production of ivories in historicizing styles in the 19th century flourished in a number of centres, including Cologne, Milan, Toulouse and Cordoba. Although not always made to deceive, unscrupulous dealers often sold them as genuine objects to their clients.
Three dimensional images of the Virgin and Child were ubiquitous from the twelfth to the fifteenth centuries, produced in a wide range of materials and sizes and testifying the overwhelming devotion to th Virgin. Together with the Crucifixion, statues and statuettes of the Virgin and Child were the pricipal objects of devotion in the Christian Church, and vast numbers were made for ecclesisastical, monastic and private worship.
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Title | Virgin and Child (generic title) |
| Materials and techniques | Carved ivory painted and gilded. |
| Brief description | Statuette, ivory, the Virgin and Child, French or Italian, mid 19th century (copy of a 14th century Virgin in Trapani, Italy) |
| Physical description | The standing Virgin crowned and veiled, stands wearing a long dress falling in folds over her feet, and offers a pear to the Child on her left arm, whom she supports with her left hand. He looks up into her face, his hair carved in tight balls. The Virgin stands on an integral octagonal pedestal with plain mouldings. Carved in the round, excellent condition. |
| Dimensions |
|
| Credit line | Salting Bequest |
| Object history | Formerly Spitzer collection until 1893 (sold at the Spitzer sale, Paris - 25 April, 1893, no. 146, pl. IV); then George Salting collection. Bequeathed to the V&A by Salting in 1910. Historical significance: This statuette is based on a life-size marble figure of the Virgin in Trapani Sicily. This statue was made in the 14th century and soon became the focus of pilgrimages and was one of the most copied devotional images in Italy. The present Virgin was probably not intended as a fake, but a copy made in the 19th century for devotional purposes. |
| Production | This statuette is based on a marble figure of the Virgin in Trapani Sicily, from the 14th century. |
| Subjects depicted | |
| Summary | This statuette of the Virgin and Child, made in the mid-19th century in France or Italy, is based on a life-size marble figure of the Virgin in Trapani Sicily. The Trapani statue was made in the 14th century and soon became the focus of pilgrimages and was one of the most copied devotional images in Italy. The present Virgin was probably not intended as a fake, but a copy made for devotional purposes. The production of ivories in historicizing styles in the 19th century flourished in a number of centres, including Cologne, Milan, Toulouse and Cordoba. Although not always made to deceive, unscrupulous dealers often sold them as genuine objects to their clients. Three dimensional images of the Virgin and Child were ubiquitous from the twelfth to the fifteenth centuries, produced in a wide range of materials and sizes and testifying the overwhelming devotion to th Virgin. Together with the Crucifixion, statues and statuettes of the Virgin and Child were the pricipal objects of devotion in the Christian Church, and vast numbers were made for ecclesisastical, monastic and private worship. |
| Bibliographic references |
|
| Collection | |
| Accession number | A.550-1910 |
About this object record
Explore the Collections contains over a million catalogue records, and over half a million images. It is a working database that includes information compiled over the life of the museum. Some of our records may contain offensive and discriminatory language, or reflect outdated ideas, practice and analysis. We are committed to addressing these issues, and to review and update our records accordingly.
You can write to us to suggest improvements to the record.
Suggest feedback
You can write to us to suggest improvements to the record.
Suggest feedback
| Record created | March 5, 2004 |
| Record URL |
Download as: JSONIIIF Manifest
