18th Century Nevers Faience "virgin Of Childbirth"

Stemming from a popular tradition in the 18th and 19th centuries, the "Virgin of Childbirth" (*Vierge d'accouchée*) is a faience statuette depicting the Virgin Mary.

It was intended to protect the new mother as childbirth approached. The statuette was placed at the expectant mother's bedside, and a candle was set into the hollow of her crown and lit—signaling the start of labor. The candle was meant to burn until the child was born, marking the "normal" duration of the delivery.

This tradition originated in Quimper, in the heart of a deeply devout Brittany, before spreading to Auxerre and Nevers.

The polychrome statuette presented here comes from the Nevers faience workshops and features a blue and yellow palette: the yellow adorning the crown represents royal gold. Yellow is also used for her mantle, while blue—the color of the Virgin Mary—decorates her gown with stylized flowers.

The skin tones of Jesus and Mary are left in the milky, pearly white of the faience itself.

Although modern times have largely forgotten this tradition in favor of safer medical care for expectant mothers, it is heartwarming to think that, from their museum display cases, these little statuettes continue to watch over the birth of children.

Height: 27 cm

France – Nevers

Polychrome faience

18th century