Important Sculpture Representing Saint Barbara

VIRGIN OF CALVARY ORIGIN : ITALY PERIOD : SECOND HALF 13th CENTURY Height : 75 cm Length : 19 cm Depth : 13 cm Polychrome wood carved in the round This rare sculpture of a Virgin of Calvary originally belonged to an ensemble depicting the Crucifixion. The Virgin would be accompanied by a sculpture of the apostle John, both flanking the Christ. Depictions of Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus could complete the ensemble. The portrayal of the Descent from the Cross had to be a touching and moving scene for the viewer. Quite rare during the 10th and 11th centuries this particular scene of the Passion was very much in favour during the 12th century before other scenes took over in turn. Mary is standing with her head slightly tilted to her right shoulder. In a gesture of intercession she raises her left hand – note the long and delicate fingers – towards the missing Christ while with her right hand she holds her cloak around her elbow. Those calm and restrained movements break with the hieratism of Romanesque sculpture...

SAINT AFRE OF AUGSBURG ORIGIN : SOUTHERN GERMANY PERIOD : 16th CENTURY Height : 119 cm Width : 50 cm Depth : 28 cm Limewood Good state of conservation Patron Saint of the city and the diocese of Augsburg, the oldest traces of her worship date back to the 6th century. There are several versions of his legend. She is sometimes identified as the daughter of a king of Cyprus whose violent and unexpected death forced her and her mother, Hilaria, to flee. They went to Augsburg via Rome. Others see her origins in Africa instead, her name meaning African in Latin. Settled in Augsburg, they became the owners of a notorious inn where they traded in their charms. Bishop Narcissus of Girona, accompanied by his deacon Felix, found refuge there one day, fleeing the persecution of Emperor Diocletian. As the two men prayed devoutly, Afre was touched by grace and asked to be baptized. She then left her old life and embraced the Christian faith. When the Roman authorities learned of his new vocation, they exhorted her to worship the old gods and to deny the Christian faith. She refused to renounce her faith and was sentenced to be burned alive. Her sentence was applied immediately and she suffered her mart...

CARVED POLYCHROME WOOD DEPICTING SAINT FLORIAN ORIGIN : SWABIA, SOUTHERN GERMANY PERIOD : LATE 15th CENTURY Height : 98 cm Length : 29 cm Depth : 24 cm Polychrome limewood Very fine condition Provenance - Swiss collection STAEHELIN-PARAVICINI - March 1939 - Auction Jacob Hecht -18 April 1929, Berlin - Sammlung Prof Q.A. LEIMHAAS Munich, Helbing - 26 May 1908 (Research by Thierry Fraslin) During the Middle-Age Saint Florian was particularly popular, subject to worship in Austria -Tyrol- Bavaria and Bohemia. Embodying courage and commitment Saint Florian was invoked to protect the soul of the living against sins and to keep the soul of the deads from the purgatory. From the mid-15th century he safeguards from water and fire. The legend has it that when he was young the saint had contained the fire of a burning...

SMALL SCULPTURE FIGURING AN ANGEL ORIGIN : GERMANY PERIOD : 15TH CENTURY Height: 48,5 cm Width : 20 cm Depth : 12 cm

Mid 17th century Northern European carved figure of a saint. This striking statue depicts a saint who is dressed in robes, whilst holding his hand over his heart. This figure is freestanding and is stood within a leaning position which makes him stand out. It has been beautifully carved from oak and has remnants of its original paintwork. Likely to have stood within a church for many years and would have been removed due to renovation reasons. This historical figure...

Sculpture made of hardwood from around the end of the 15th century, placeable in the upper Venetian area. Depicting a female figure characterized by a draped robe, as was the cust...

Late 18th Century carved, off-white polychrome French statue of St. Barbara, the inspiration for Rapunzel.

Beautifully carved wood saint , late 18th century , Italy.