The Virgin and Child
Statuette
ca. 1450 - ca. 1480 (made)
ca. 1450 - ca. 1480 (made)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
This hollow statuette was designed to be viewed from the front only. It has thick walls with two large square holes in the back. These were probably used to fix the figure in its original setting. No one is certain what this was. This Virgin and Child may have been set on a small altarpiece or in a niche. It may have been fixed to a lectern or a large candelabra used at Easter.
The metalworkers of the South Netherlands were active throughout the Middle Ages. The foundries of the Meuse Valley were particularly famous, especially those of Dinant. Brass work became known as 'Dinanderie' as a result of their fame. In the Middle Ages people used the words 'brass' and 'bronze' interchangeably.
The devotional image is typical of the area around Brabant at the end of the 15th century.
The metalworkers of the South Netherlands were active throughout the Middle Ages. The foundries of the Meuse Valley were particularly famous, especially those of Dinant. Brass work became known as 'Dinanderie' as a result of their fame. In the Middle Ages people used the words 'brass' and 'bronze' interchangeably.
The devotional image is typical of the area around Brabant at the end of the 15th century.
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Title | The Virgin and Child (generic title) |
| Materials and techniques | Copper alloy, with dark brown patina |
| Brief description | Statuette, bronze with dark brown patina, Virgin and Child, Belgium (Tournai, North Hainaut or Brussels), ca. 1450-1480 |
| Physical description | Cast in one and hollow with thick walls, this statuette was obviously meant to be viewed from the front only, the two large square holes in the back presumably serving the purpose of securing the figure within its original setting. |
| Dimensions |
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| Gallery label |
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| Object history | In the possession of the architect and garden designer Harold Peto (1854-1933) at Collingham Gardens, London, until 1896; purchased by the first Baron Rochdale (1866-1945) and passed to his son, the first Viscount Rochdale (1906-93); sold Sotheby's, London, 10 December 1987, lot 49; bought by the Museum from Jan Dirven, Eindhoven, in 1988 for £20,070. Historical significance: The metalworkers of the South Netherlands were active throughout the Middle Ages, and the foundries of the Meuse Valley -especially those of Dinant (hence the generic term Dinanderie for brass work) - were particularly celebrated. Other centres such as Tournaui and Brussels played a major role by the fifteenth century. |
| Historical context | The original context of the figure remains unclear. It may instead have been set on a small altarpiece or tabernacle; or alternatively it could have been fixed to one of the larger paschal candelabra or lectern. |
| Production | Tournai, North Hainaut or Brussels |
| Subjects depicted | |
| Summary | This hollow statuette was designed to be viewed from the front only. It has thick walls with two large square holes in the back. These were probably used to fix the figure in its original setting. No one is certain what this was. This Virgin and Child may have been set on a small altarpiece or in a niche. It may have been fixed to a lectern or a large candelabra used at Easter. The metalworkers of the South Netherlands were active throughout the Middle Ages. The foundries of the Meuse Valley were particularly famous, especially those of Dinant. Brass work became known as 'Dinanderie' as a result of their fame. In the Middle Ages people used the words 'brass' and 'bronze' interchangeably. The devotional image is typical of the area around Brabant at the end of the 15th century. |
| Bibliographic references |
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| Collection | |
| Accession number | A.3-1988 |
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| Record created | December 5, 2002 |
| Record URL |
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