Virgin and Child

This group is made by an unknown artist in the early 16th century in Siegburg, Germany and represents the standing figure of the Virgin with the Infant Saviour and St. Catherine of Siena in her arms.

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.