Ursuline Nun thumbnail 1
Ursuline Nun thumbnail 2
Not currently on display at the V&A

Ursuline Nun

Ecclesiastical Figure
first half 19th century (made)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

This figure is one of a set of 50 dressed to represent the outfits worn by Catholic religious orders. They are made of tow (hemp) with wax heads, hands and feet. They were probably made in France, as they are labelled in French, but some of the orders represented were only active in Germany and the Netherlands.

This figure represents an Ursuline nun. The Ursuline habit is one of the most widely recognised, with its black serge tunic, belt and veil, and white wimple. The Ursuline order was founded in 1535 by St Angela de Merici for the education of girls and the care for the sick and needy, and continues strong today.


Object details

Categories
Object type
TitleUrsuline Nun
Materials and techniques
Figure made of tow and wax, dressed in linen and woollen materials
Brief description
Wax and tow figure dressed as an Ursuline nun
Physical description
Figure made of wax and tow, dressed in linen and woollen fabrics.
Black serge tunic with black belt, white wimple, black veil.
Dimensions
  • Including stand height: 31cm
Average approximate height of the figures in this set.
Credit line
Given by Mr. G. Smith
Object history
One of a group of 50 figures given to the Educational Department by Mr. G. Smith of St John's Wood in 1868, but only formally accessioned in 1905. The labels on the bases are in French but some of the orders represented (e.g the Alexians and the Order of the Conception) seem to have been confined to Germany and the Low Countries. (from original acquisition record for 1905)
Production
Labelled in French; some of the orders represented confined to Germany or the Netherlands.
Summary
This figure is one of a set of 50 dressed to represent the outfits worn by Catholic religious orders. They are made of tow (hemp) with wax heads, hands and feet. They were probably made in France, as they are labelled in French, but some of the orders represented were only active in Germany and the Netherlands.

This figure represents an Ursuline nun. The Ursuline habit is one of the most widely recognised, with its black serge tunic, belt and veil, and white wimple. The Ursuline order was founded in 1535 by St Angela de Merici for the education of girls and the care for the sick and needy, and continues strong today.
Collection
Accession number
1212:1-1905

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Record createdMay 16, 2008
Record URL
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