{"meta":{"version":"2.1","_links":{"self":{"href":"https://api.vam.ac.uk/v2/object/O154796"},"collection_page":{"href":"https://collections.vam.ac.uk/item/O154796/"}},"images":{"_primary_thumbnail":"https://framemark.vam.ac.uk/collections/2011FA9814/full/!100,100/0/default.jpg","_iiif_image":"https://framemark.vam.ac.uk/collections/2011FA9814/","_alt_iiif_image":[],"imageResolution":"high","_images_meta":[{"assetRef":"2011FA9814","copyright":"© Victoria and Albert Museum, London","sensitiveImage":false},{"assetRef":"2011FA9811","copyright":"© Victoria and Albert Museum, London","sensitiveImage":false},{"assetRef":"2011FA9813","copyright":"© Victoria and Albert Museum, London","sensitiveImage":false}]},"see_also":{"_iiif_pres":"https://iiif.vam.ac.uk/collections/O154796/manifest.json","_alt_iiif_pres":[]}},"record":{"systemNumber":"O154796","accessionNumber":"1212:18-1905","objectType":"Ecclesiastical figure","titles":[{"title":"Alexian or Cellite Friar","type":""}],"summaryDescription":"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.\r\n\r\nThis figure represents an Alexian friar. The Alexians originated in the early 1100s as the Beghards, male equivalents of the Béguines (see 1212:3-1905). Like Béguines, while dedicating their lives to religion and good works, Beghards did not take vows or adopt a rule of life. They lived in small rooms or 'cells', which led to their being called Cellites. In the fourteenth century, the Cellites chose to dedicate themselves to care for the sick, particularly victims of bubonic plague who were treated as outcasts at the time. At that time they formed the Alexian Brothers, taking St Alexius as their patron saint. Although recognised in 1469 as a religious order by Louis de Bourbon, Prince-Bishop of Liège (1438-92), the Alexians were not formally confirmed until 1870. The order is still going strong today, and has founded many Alexian hospitals. The Alexians wear a plain black belted tunic, scapular, and cloak.","physicalDescription":"Figure made of wax and tow, dressed in linen and woollen fabrics.\r\nBlack tunic, scapular, leather belt and white collar","artistMakerPerson":[{"name":{"text":"Unknown","id":"A1848"},"association":{"text":"","id":""},"note":""}],"artistMakerOrganisations":[],"artistMakerPeople":[],"materials":[{"text":"wax","id":"AAT14585"},{"text":"tow","id":"x42596"},{"text":"linen (material)","id":"AAT14069"},{"text":"wool (textile)","id":"AAT243430"}],"techniques":[],"materialsAndTechniques":"Figure made of tow and wax, dressed in linen and woollen materials.","categories":[{"text":"Religion","id":"THES48900"},{"text":"Christianity","id":"THES48978"},{"text":"Ecclesiastical textiles","id":"THES48962"},{"text":"Dolls and toys","id":"THES48967"},{"text":"Clothing","id":"THES48975"},{"text":"Europeana Fashion Project","id":"THES265804"}],"styles":[],"collectionCode":{"text":"T&F","id":"THES48601"},"images":["2011FA9814","2011FA9811","2011FA9813"],"imageResolution":"high","galleryLocations":[{"current":{"text":"003","id":"THES327364"},"free":"","case":"","shelf":"","box":""}],"partTypes":[[{"text":"Figure","id":""}]],"contentWarnings":[{"apprise":"","note":""}],"placesOfOrigin":[{"place":{"text":"France","id":"x28849"},"association":{"text":"made","id":"x28654"},"note":"possibly"},{"place":{"text":"Germany","id":"x28873"},"association":{"text":"made","id":"x28654"},"note":"possibly"},{"place":{"text":"Netherlands","id":"x29020"},"association":{"text":"made","id":"x28654"},"note":"possibly"}],"productionDates":[{"date":{"text":"first half 19th century","earliest":"1800-01-01","latest":"1850-12-31"},"association":{"text":"made","id":"x28654"},"note":""}],"associatedObjects":[{"object":{"text":"MA/1/S851","id":"ARC181608"},"association":"Archive record"}],"creditLine":"Given by Mr. G. Smith","dimensions":[{"dimension":"Height","value":"31","unit":"cm","qualifier":"","date":{"text":"","earliest":null,"latest":null},"part":"including stand","note":""}],"dimensionsNote":"Average approximate height of the figures in this set","marksAndInscriptions":[],"objectHistory":"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)","historicalContext":"","briefDescription":"Wax and tow figure dressed as a Alexian or Cellite friar","bibliographicReferences":[],"production":"Labelled in French; some of the orders represented confined to Germany or the Netherlands.","productionType":{"text":"","id":""},"contentDescription":"","contentPlaces":[],"associatedPlaces":[],"contentPerson":[],"associatedPerson":[],"contentOrganisations":[],"associatedOrganisations":[],"contentPeople":[],"associatedPeople":[],"contentEvents":[],"associatedEvents":[],"contentOthers":[],"contentConcepts":[],"contentLiteraryRefs":[],"galleryLabels":[],"partNumbers":["1212:18-1905"],"accessionNumberNum":"1212","accessionNumberPrefix":"","accessionYear":1905,"otherNumbers":[],"copyNumber":"","aspects":["WHOLE"],"assets":[],"recordModificationDate":"2026-04-22","recordCreationDate":"2008-05-16","availableToBook":true}}