Blessing Baby Jesus
This 16th-century blessing Baby Jesus holds a small globe in his left hand, symbolising divine sovereignty over the world. With his right hand he gives a blessing, derived from the Roman sign for speaking. This rosy-cheeked child is a fine example of an extremely popular 16th-century export product: the Mechelen doll.
Mechelen Dolls
This blessing Baby Jesus with globe in hand is a typical representation of the so-called Mechelen dolls or poupées de Malines. These figurines were produced in large quantities in Mechelen from the mid-15th century to around 1530. Ideally, they are carved from a single piece of wood, usually walnut. Most are between 26 and 38 cm tall. The figurines are polychromed and may even be gold-leafed. Mechelen dolls typically have a round face and a high forehead. They usually depict the Saints.
They were mainly used for private devotion, in home chapels, clerical rooms and beguinages. Beguines would create all kinds of outfits to dress the dolls, and they were sometimes adorned with silver or gold brocade. At Christmas, the Christ figurine was placed on the altar in a decorated cradle with bells. Poupées de Malines were also incorporated in enclosed gardens. They were relatively affordable and extremely popular, and they were even exported to places such as Spain and Portugal. It is said that Ferdinand Magellan had a Mechelen doll with him during his circumnavigation of the world (1519-1521).
About the Blessing Baby Jesus
- Title: Blessing Baby Jesus
- Item name: holy statue
- Artist: anonymous
- Date: 16th century
- Material: polychromed wood
- Dimensions: 34.5 x 14x 7 cm
- Inventory number: B0728
- Origin: Legacy of Joseph Jacobs & Josée Broos, donated to the city of Mechelen in 2013
