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Figurine

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Image - Figurine
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Musée de Kent
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Object Name: Figurine
Category: Communication Artifacts
Material: porcelain
Technique: moulded
Accession Number: 04.471.57
Origin-Country: Switzerland ?
Use-Province: New Brunswick
Use-Country: Canada
Narrative: As a gift given to Virginie Girouard in 1859 by Father Berthe upon returning from a visit to Switzerland, this lamb figurine symbolizes much more than a regular souvenir. Though figurines have been popular for centuries beginning in ancient China, this particular representation was likely mass produced from a mold sometime during the mid-19th century. Using a technique called soft-paste porcelain production; the object is first fired at a very high temperature (bisque firing) then glazed and fired again at a lower temperature (glost firing). The design and colour are added after the bisque firing stage before the glaze is added. Traditionally the lamb is a religious symbol which represents Christ, especially in the Book of Revelation where Christ is referred to as a "Lamb" twenty-eight times. (http://en.wikipedia.org, accessed on 25 November 2005) Historically the Lamb of God, also known as a paschal lamb or Agnus Dei, is represented in this figurine by what resembles a halo above the lamb's head. The Lamb is symbolic of sacrifice and was believed to protect against the destroying angel. The idea of suffering is conveyed through this image as the animal may also be associated with innocence. The notion that an innocent animal is suffering in sacrifice evokes sympathy towards the courageous animal. This final note is relevant to Miss Girouard receiving the ornament from religious personage since at the time of his return it is documented that she was suffering from an infection that resulted in the loss of her finger. The choice of the lamb figurine as a gift was especially relevant since it bears the message of courage in times of suffering.
Height: 13,5
Unit-Linear: cm
Quantity: 1
Institution: Musée de Kent  Facebook-Musée de Kent 
Institution City: Bouctouche
Institution Province: New Brunswick

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