St Nicholas of Bari
Can I see it?
Not on view at present
Where is “St Nicholas of Bari” now? Collection: Victoria and Albert Museum, London. Not on view at present. Checked September 25, 2026.
London, United Kingdom
It belongs to the collection, but is not on display at present.
- Checked
- In this state since
- Source
- The museum
About the sculpture
The statuette showing the standing figure of St. Nicholas of Bari in ecclesiastical vestments, is made by an unknown artist in Siegburg, Germany in the 15th or 16th century.
It is made of pipeclay, which is a fine white clay also used to make tobacco pipes and pottery. Conveniently situated on a major trading route, Siegburg was a centre of ceramic production with well-organised workshops and kilns in which pipe-clay figures were also fired.
Read on
Saint Nicholas (Santa Claus) of Bari is one of the most popular Saints. The legends told about him, were not spread before 500 years after his death. His parents having died when he was very young, he was consequently brought up by his uncle. He inherited a lot of money from his parents, which he all gave away to the needy and entered a monastery. He had a special affection to children. He died when only ca. 46 years old. His alleged relics were stolen by Italian merchants and are now in the church of Bari.
Victoria and Albert Museum
Details
- Accession number
- 1584-1903
What it shows
In the catalog
Sources
- Victoria and Albert Museum
- Image: Victoria and Albert Museum — © Victoria and Albert Museum, London
