St George and the Dragon
Medallion
late 15th century (made)
late 15th century (made)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
The medallion is a carved mother of pearl relief depicting St George and the Dragon.
St George thrusts his spear down the throat of the dragon. To the right is the princess Cleodolinda, who kneels in prayer. Behind are rocks with three castles.
George is a legendary warrior saint and martyr. His origins lie in Greece and he became popular in the West from the 13th century. He is the patron saint of several European Cities, one of them Venice. He was also made patron of England in 1222.
To the early Christians the dragon symbolised the evil. St. George slaying the dragon thus refers to the conversion of a heathen country to Christianity. Later ages interpreted the story following the ancient Greek meaning.
St George thrusts his spear down the throat of the dragon. To the right is the princess Cleodolinda, who kneels in prayer. Behind are rocks with three castles.
George is a legendary warrior saint and martyr. His origins lie in Greece and he became popular in the West from the 13th century. He is the patron saint of several European Cities, one of them Venice. He was also made patron of England in 1222.
To the early Christians the dragon symbolised the evil. St. George slaying the dragon thus refers to the conversion of a heathen country to Christianity. Later ages interpreted the story following the ancient Greek meaning.
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Title | St George and the Dragon (generic title) |
| Materials and techniques | Carved mother of pearl relief |
| Brief description | Medallion relief, carved mother of pearl, depicting St George and the Dragon, South Germany, late 15th century |
| Physical description | Carved mother of pearl relief depicting St George and the Dragon. St George thrusts his spear down the throat of the dragon. To the right the princess Cleodolinda kneels in prayer; behind are rocks with three castles. |
| Dimensions |
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| Object history | Bought, £9 17s. 1d. |
| Subjects depicted | |
| Summary | The medallion is a carved mother of pearl relief depicting St George and the Dragon. St George thrusts his spear down the throat of the dragon. To the right is the princess Cleodolinda, who kneels in prayer. Behind are rocks with three castles. George is a legendary warrior saint and martyr. His origins lie in Greece and he became popular in the West from the 13th century. He is the patron saint of several European Cities, one of them Venice. He was also made patron of England in 1222. To the early Christians the dragon symbolised the evil. St. George slaying the dragon thus refers to the conversion of a heathen country to Christianity. Later ages interpreted the story following the ancient Greek meaning. |
| Bibliographic reference | Inventory of Works of Art Acquired by the Victoria and Albert Museum in the Years 1903 - 1904. In: List of Works of Art Acquired by the Victoria and Albert Museum, During the Year 1903, Arranged According to the Dates of Acquisition with Appendix and Indices. London: Printed for His Majesty's Stationery Office, by Wyman and Sons, Limited, 1907, p. 245 |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | 1426-1903 |
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| Record created | October 26, 2004 |
| Record URL |
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