St Nicholas of Bari
Statuette
15th century to 16th century (made)
15th century to 16th century (made)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
The statuette showing the standing figure of St. Nicholas of Bari in ecclesiastical vestments, is made by an unknown artist in Siegburg, Germany in the 15th or 16th century.
It is made of pipeclay, which is a fine white clay also used to make tobacco pipes and pottery. Conveniently situated on a major trading route, Siegburg was a centre of ceramic production with well-organised workshops and kilns in which pipe-clay figures were also fired.
Saint Nicholas (Santa Claus) of Bari is one of the most popular Saints. The legends told about him, were not spread before 500 years after his death. His parents having died when he was very young, he was consequently brought up by his uncle. He inherited a lot of money from his parents, which he all gave away to the needy and entered a monastery. He had a special affection to children. He died when only ca. 46 years old. His alleged relics were stolen by Italian merchants and are now in the church of Bari.
It is made of pipeclay, which is a fine white clay also used to make tobacco pipes and pottery. Conveniently situated on a major trading route, Siegburg was a centre of ceramic production with well-organised workshops and kilns in which pipe-clay figures were also fired.
Saint Nicholas (Santa Claus) of Bari is one of the most popular Saints. The legends told about him, were not spread before 500 years after his death. His parents having died when he was very young, he was consequently brought up by his uncle. He inherited a lot of money from his parents, which he all gave away to the needy and entered a monastery. He had a special affection to children. He died when only ca. 46 years old. His alleged relics were stolen by Italian merchants and are now in the church of Bari.
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Title | St Nicholas of Bari (generic title) |
| Materials and techniques | Pipeclay |
| Brief description | Statuette, pipeclay, St. Nicholas of Bari, Germany, Siegburg, 15th or 16th century |
| Physical description | Standing figure of St. Nicholas of Bari in ecclesiastical vestments; in his right hand is a pastoral staff and in his left a purse and three coins. |
| Dimensions |
|
| Object history | Bought from Thewalt Collection. |
| Historical context | Siegburg was a centre of ceramic production with well-organised workshops and kilns in which pipeclay figures were also fired. |
| Subjects depicted | |
| Summary | The statuette showing the standing figure of St. Nicholas of Bari in ecclesiastical vestments, is made by an unknown artist in Siegburg, Germany in the 15th or 16th century. It is made of pipeclay, which is a fine white clay also used to make tobacco pipes and pottery. Conveniently situated on a major trading route, Siegburg was a centre of ceramic production with well-organised workshops and kilns in which pipe-clay figures were also fired. Saint Nicholas (Santa Claus) of Bari is one of the most popular Saints. The legends told about him, were not spread before 500 years after his death. His parents having died when he was very young, he was consequently brought up by his uncle. He inherited a lot of money from his parents, which he all gave away to the needy and entered a monastery. He had a special affection to children. He died when only ca. 46 years old. His alleged relics were stolen by Italian merchants and are now in the church of Bari. |
| 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. 269 |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | 1584-1903 |
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| Record created | November 25, 2008 |
| Record URL |
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