The Emperor Constantine and St Helena.
Statuette
late 19th century (made)
late 19th century (made)
Artist/Maker | |
Place of origin |
This oak carving depicts the Emperor Constantine and St Helena. The figures are in the style of Netherlandish or Lower Rhenish sculpture of the late 15th century and was conceived as a wooden model for a reliquary to be made by a goldsmith. The central stem was presumably intended to support a container holding a relic of the True Cross, said to have been discovered by St Helena. Although the carving is quite convincing the absence of any comparable medieval models and the misunderstanding if details such as the open work ornament below the base, suggests that it is a skilful 19th century fake.
Object details
Category | |
Object type | |
Title | The Emperor Constantine and St Helena. |
Materials and techniques | Oak |
Brief description | Group emperor constantine and st.helena; Wood French/German 19th cent |
Physical description | Group in oak. The Emperor and Empress, both crowned, kneel on either side of a pedestal. The figures are in the style of Netherlandish or Lower Rhenish sculpture of the late 15th century and was conceived as a wood model for a reliquary to be made by a goldsmith. |
Dimensions |
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Object history | Given by Mrs Sigismund Goetze in memory of her husband. |
Subjects depicted | |
Summary | This oak carving depicts the Emperor Constantine and St Helena. The figures are in the style of Netherlandish or Lower Rhenish sculpture of the late 15th century and was conceived as a wooden model for a reliquary to be made by a goldsmith. The central stem was presumably intended to support a container holding a relic of the True Cross, said to have been discovered by St Helena. Although the carving is quite convincing the absence of any comparable medieval models and the misunderstanding if details such as the open work ornament below the base, suggests that it is a skilful 19th century fake. |
Collection | |
Accession number | A.7-1940 |
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Record created | June 24, 2009 |
Record URL |
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