St James the Less
Statuette
15th century (made)
15th century (made)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
St James, with a spade shaped beard is shown wearing a robe with a cloak draped from his shoulder. He holds a fuller's club the symbol of his martyrdom on his left side and a book on his right side.
Saints are the heroes and heroines of Christian faith. In the 14th and 15th centuries, they were a popular subject for alabaster carvings. Religious themes penetrated private life, so devotional images of saints were sculpted not only for church interiors, but also for individuals to contemplate within the privacy of their homes.
Saints are the heroes and heroines of Christian faith. In the 14th and 15th centuries, they were a popular subject for alabaster carvings. Religious themes penetrated private life, so devotional images of saints were sculpted not only for church interiors, but also for individuals to contemplate within the privacy of their homes.
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Title | St James the Less (generic title) |
| Materials and techniques | Carved and painted alabaster |
| Brief description | Alabaster statuette depicting St James the Less. English, 15th century. |
| Physical description | The saint has a spade-shaped beard. He wears a robe, and a cloak draped from his shoulders. He holds a fuller's club, his symbol, at his left side; in his right hand he holds a book. His eyes are carved. Part of the saint's right hand and most of the book are missing. The nose and beard are damaged. The head and shoulders have been broken off the figure, but carefully replaced and strengthened with plaster at the back of the neck. There is no colour except for slight traces of black in the saint's hair and beard. There are no holes, significant marks, or signs of cutting away at the back, which is unusual. |
| Dimensions |
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| Style | |
| Credit line | Given by Dr W. L. Hildburgh FSA |
| Object history | Acquired by Dr W. L. Hildburgh in Paris. On loan since 1928. Given by Dr Hildburgh in 1946. |
| Subjects depicted | |
| Summary | St James, with a spade shaped beard is shown wearing a robe with a cloak draped from his shoulder. He holds a fuller's club the symbol of his martyrdom on his left side and a book on his right side. Saints are the heroes and heroines of Christian faith. In the 14th and 15th centuries, they were a popular subject for alabaster carvings. Religious themes penetrated private life, so devotional images of saints were sculpted not only for church interiors, but also for individuals to contemplate within the privacy of their homes. |
| Bibliographic reference | Cheetham, Francis. English Medieval Alabasters. Oxford: Phaidon-Christie's Limited, 1984. p. 111 (cat. 40), ill. ISBN 0-7148-8014-0 |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | A.155-1946 |
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| Record created | November 22, 2002 |
| Record URL |
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