Exhibiting Historical Art: Out of the Vault: Stories of People and ThingsMain MenuWorld MapClick pins to learn more about the object that originated thereTimelinePre-Columbian Gold Headband800 A.D. - 1500 A.D.Gold Eagle PendantsSepik River Headrest20th centuryStatue of Saint Barbara17th century France, polychromed wood, artist unknownCabinet door from the Imperial Palace of Beijing with Imperial DragonChen Youzhang, 1755Bronze LampHead of John the BaptistLauren Linquest, '19Ida Rubenstein, 1909 Sculpture by Jo DavidsonCassone ChestWater-Carrier Vase with Bamboo Pattern and BambooLenore Vanderkooi, 1996Lotus Flowers in a Wood VaseRevolutions Per Minute: The Art RecordOpening page
St. Barbara Altarpiece (detail)
12016-04-19T14:18:02-07:00Joseph Eilbert852d338b9225be1f80a6a154c936576064be93fa85321Wilhelm Kalteysen von Aachen, 1447plain2016-04-19T14:18:02-07:00Joseph Eilbert852d338b9225be1f80a6a154c936576064be93fa
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12016-04-07T13:46:47-07:00Saint Barbara: Symbols16Explore the rich symbolism associated with Saint Barbaraplain2016-04-21T09:12:08-07:00The Tower: the three windowed tower, often in miniature and held in the hand, is a reference to Saint Barbara's legend and a symbol of the Holy Trinity. A symbol frequently associated with military engineering emblems.
The Cannon: a modern symbol of Saint Barbara, a reference to her role as patron of artillerymen and a symbol frequently associated with artillery units' emblems
The Peacock Feather: a traditional Christian symbol of immortality due to the belief that peacock flesh does not decay. The peacock feather is frequently associated with Saint Barbara in reference to her home city of Heliopolis. Heliopolis was known as the city of the phoenix, for which the peacock was often substituted.
The Palm: a Christian symbol of martyrdom, in reference to Jesus's entry into Jerusalem.
The Crown: an early Christian symbol of immortality and martyrdom, in reference to the crown of thorns worn by Jesus Christ during his crucifixion.
The Chalice: symbol of the Sacrament, often associated with Saint Barbara in reference to her final wish for the grace of Sacrament. Saint Barbara is the only female saint to be depicted with the communion chalice and wafer.