Figure of the Christ Child in a glazed frame
Christmas Decoration
1980-1995
1980-1995
Place of origin |
Wooden frame box with glass front. The inside of the box is painted dark brown and the sides trimmed with gold metallic braid. The back is covered with a dark brown pattern fabric with is possibly a satin or heavy silk. It is folded over a raised section which supports the figure and above the figure the material is pleated into a sunburst design trimmed with looped gold metallic threads which also frame the outer edge. Across both the top and the bottom are bands of artificial flowers in reds, blues, pinks, white and green cottons and velvets. Additionally there are black beads, gold threads and black metal frame underneath decorated with green leaves and brown stem. In the centre of the top band is a gold metallic bead and sequin 'star'. Below the figures head is a pillow of matching fabric with gold metallic braid.
The figure is a baby in swaddling clothes representing the Christ Child. The head is wax, probably solid, with painted facial features (black eyes, brown brows and lashes, red mouth). The hair is curly blond mohair glued to the head. Behind the head is a halo of spiral gold metallic thread. The swaddling is white pattern shiny fabric, satin or heavy silk or the man made version, with bands of gold metallic braid and tie of gold metallic cord at the lower end. Around the neck is a loop of white artificial pearls.
The outside of the box is covered with a heavy cream paper patterned with gold stars and a stylized fleur de lys. Around the edge of the glass is a dark brown braid. At the back is a loop of dark yellow cord.
The figure is a baby in swaddling clothes representing the Christ Child. The head is wax, probably solid, with painted facial features (black eyes, brown brows and lashes, red mouth). The hair is curly blond mohair glued to the head. Behind the head is a halo of spiral gold metallic thread. The swaddling is white pattern shiny fabric, satin or heavy silk or the man made version, with bands of gold metallic braid and tie of gold metallic cord at the lower end. Around the neck is a loop of white artificial pearls.
The outside of the box is covered with a heavy cream paper patterned with gold stars and a stylized fleur de lys. Around the edge of the glass is a dark brown braid. At the back is a loop of dark yellow cord.
Object details
Object type | |
Title | Figure of the Christ Child in a glazed frame (popular title) |
Materials and techniques | wood, glass, wax, fabric, metal, cord, metallic braid, mohair, paper, braid |
Brief description | Glass fronted display box containing a swaddled wax Christ Child figure made in Germany between 1980 and 1995 |
Physical description | Wooden frame box with glass front. The inside of the box is painted dark brown and the sides trimmed with gold metallic braid. The back is covered with a dark brown pattern fabric with is possibly a satin or heavy silk. It is folded over a raised section which supports the figure and above the figure the material is pleated into a sunburst design trimmed with looped gold metallic threads which also frame the outer edge. Across both the top and the bottom are bands of artificial flowers in reds, blues, pinks, white and green cottons and velvets. Additionally there are black beads, gold threads and black metal frame underneath decorated with green leaves and brown stem. In the centre of the top band is a gold metallic bead and sequin 'star'. Below the figures head is a pillow of matching fabric with gold metallic braid. The figure is a baby in swaddling clothes representing the Christ Child. The head is wax, probably solid, with painted facial features (black eyes, brown brows and lashes, red mouth). The hair is curly blond mohair glued to the head. Behind the head is a halo of spiral gold metallic thread. The swaddling is white pattern shiny fabric, satin or heavy silk or the man made version, with bands of gold metallic braid and tie of gold metallic cord at the lower end. Around the neck is a loop of white artificial pearls. The outside of the box is covered with a heavy cream paper patterned with gold stars and a stylized fleur de lys. Around the edge of the glass is a dark brown braid. At the back is a loop of dark yellow cord. |
Dimensions |
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Production type | unique |
Marks and inscriptions |
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Credit line | Bequeathed by Elspeth Ann Evans |
Object history | Boxed figures of the Christ Child are sold at markets during Advent. In Bavaria and Austria, the markets are known as CHRISTKINDLMARKT (Christ Child Market). In northern areas of Germany the roman catholic term is not used. |
Production | Attribution note: This are hand made but in numbers to be sold; each is individual and slightly different. |
Place depicted | |
Association | |
Collection | |
Accession number | B.134-1998 |
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Record created | July 1, 1998 |
Record URL |
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