The Virgin and Child

This statuette is by an unknown artist from the first half of the 16th century from Siegburg in Germany and represents the standing figure of the Virgin and Child.

The Virgin is crowned, holding on her left arm the Child, who has a cross in his left hand.

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.