Wood Figurative Sculptures
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Material: Wood
21st Century Skateboard Marcantonio Wood Inlay Scapin Light Blue Turquoise
By MARCANTONIO
Located in Tezze sul Brenta, IT
Life After Life Board
Old Skull Board/ Life After Life Board è una tavola da skateboard decorativa,
disponibile in due varianti colore e con un disegno intarsiato simbolo della con...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary European Modern Wood Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Plywood
Japanese Antique Pair Buddhist Monju Fugen Bosatsu Nyorai Temple Shrine Buddhas
Located in Studio City, CA
Truly stunning pair of hand-carved wood Japanese buddha statues / sculptures that sit serenely atop their lotus petal thrones. The intricately c...
Category
Early 20th Century Japanese Meiji Wood Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Wood, Giltwood, Lacquer, Paint
Wooden Sculpture "Female Figure, " Late 15th Century
Located in Vicenza, VI
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...
Category
15th Century and Earlier Italian Other Antique Wood Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Wood
Large Heavy Thai Siam Asian Ceramic Buddha Head Bust Sculpure on Display Stand
Located in Studio City, CA
This is truly a spectacular work A beautifully sculptured Buddha head (the features and finial suggest that it is Thai/ Siam) on a custom display stan...
Category
20th Century Asian Wood Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Ceramic, Wood
Funky Large Wood Sculpture
Located in Delray Beach, FL
Corky sculpture made of solid oak wood, movable pieces that can be adjusted to the position you like, two glass eyes.
Great decorative and funky object of art.
Category
20th Century American Wood Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Stainless Steel
Italy, Late 20th Century, Bronze Multiple Bust
Located in Brescia, IT
This engaging bronze sculpture on black wooden base, well represents a human bust, but for its expressive force, the bust turns into an abstract shape of it.
The artist who created this sculpture is Roberto Nanut...
Category
Late 20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Wood Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Bronze
Indian Midcentury Hand Carved Shiva Trimurti Sculpture
Located in New York, NY
Vintage Indian hardwood Shiva Trimurti sculpture is intricately hand carved with three sides of the face of Lord Shiva, one of the 3 major Gods of the Hindu...
Category
20th Century Indian Tribal Wood Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Hardwood
Large Wooden Sculpture of an Archer dated and Signed, France 1968
Located in Den Haag, NL
Large Wooden Sculpture of an Archer dated and Signed, France 1968
Wonderful decorative object, in good vintage condition. One hand is missing some fingers but we think gives this piece character. Dated and signed MB...
Category
1960s French Mid-Century Modern Vintage Wood Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Wood, Plaster
Andrianna Shamaris Antique Statue from Borneo
Located in New York, NY
Antique male statue hand carved from a single wood log from West Borneo. Originally used to protect the home from evil spirits with the wood base placed into the ground in front of t...
Category
1950s Tribal Vintage Wood Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Metal
Unity Bronze Sculpture
Located in Paris, FR
Sculpture unity bronze in solid patinated bronze on
black oak base (included). Lost wax bronze technique.
Base: L 12 x D 12 x H 18cm.
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Belgian Wood Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Bronze
Rare 18th C Wooden Statue of St. John the Baptist
Located in Chicago, IL
This exceptionally life-like antique sculpture is carved from linden wood and once decorated a French church or cathedral. The figure stands authoritatively, with right arm raised and index finger extended toward heaven. It probably stood on a base in a side chapel.
According to Christian iconography of the period, this gesture signifies that salvation comes only through baptism. The figure wears a girdle of animal fir, probably from a bear, making symbolic reference to St. John the Baptist's life in the wilderness of Judea, between Jerusalem and the Dead Sea. The elegantly carved robe is a baroque element that adds a sense of motion and energy to the artwork. Originally, the sculpture was polychromed, but the original pigments have weathered away and been replaced with whitewash. Repairs, losses, and insect damage are minor and expected due to great age. many vintage and antique religious sculptures...
Category
18th Century French Antique Wood Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Wood
Italian Hand Carved Gilt Wooden Torchiere
Located in Norton, MA
An Italian carved giltwood woman torchiere depicting a Venetian polychrome sculpture figure holding a large cornucopia torch. With a "Made in Italy" s...
Category
20th Century Italian Wood Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Wood
Natural Lapis Lazuli Dragon Multi-Dimensional Hand Carved
Located in Somis, CA
A beautiful, substantial statue of Lapis Lazuli, hand carved by a master artisan on both sides. The sculpture depicts a dragon flying in the clouds above mountains while spraying wat...
Category
2010s Afghan Wood Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Lapis Lazuli
Gilt Carved Wood Gilt Seated Temple Shrine Thai Siam Asian Serene Buddha
Located in Studio City, CA
A finely carved and detailed seated wood temple shrine Buddha. Likely Northern Thai or lower Burmese.
This particular Buddha has a wonder...
Category
Early 20th Century Thai Wood Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Lacquer, Wood, Giltwood
19th Century French Turned Wood Crucifix with Porcelain Bisque Figure of Christ
By Interi
Located in Dublin, Dalkey
19th century French turned wood crucifix with a porcelain bisque figure of Christ and coordinating cream details. The cream carved wood finials on t...
Category
19th Century French Neoclassical Antique Wood Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Porcelain, Wood
Thai Bronze Buddha's Hand, c. 1850
Located in Chicago, IL
This 19th-century Buddha's hand sculpture from Thailand is finely cast of bronze with lifelike features and a beautiful dark patina. The hand is held upwards in abhaya mudra, the ges...
Category
Mid-19th Century Thai Minimalist Antique Wood Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Bronze
Saint Afre of Augsburg
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
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...
Category
16th Century Antique Wood Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Wood
15th Century Burgundian Low-Relief Depicting Scenes of the Nativity
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Provenance : In the same private collection for several generations, Burgundy.
The canonical Gospels describe briefly the episode of the Nativity. It comprises three parts :
• The Preludes : the Journey to Bethlehem, the Census
• The Nativity
• The Announce to the Shepherds and the Adoration of the Magi
Only the Gospel according to Matthew (2, 1-12) speaks about the Adoration of the Magi. Staying vague about their number it does say they brought the newborn gold, incense and myrrh. The apocryphals, the fathers of the Church and many other authors have filled in the gaps of the evangelic tale. The sobriety and symbolic of the story have been a huge inspiration to artists. Although one of the oldest depictions of the Adoration of the Magi dates from the 2nd century the theme became very popular in Christian art during the late 14th century. One of the reasons explaining this success is that it celebrates both the Virgin and Christ at the same time.
This important walnut panel is carved in a strong relief and depicts the different steps of the story of Jesus’ birth.
On the left, the donkey and ox that have accompanied Mary and Joseph from Bethlehem are depicted behind a trough. On the thatch roof appears the star that would guide the magi to the place of birth of Jesus.
Mary is wearing a veil and is seating on a bed. She holds her baby at arm’s length to present him to the magi. Saint Joseph is by her side. The old man is holding a cane in his left hand while from the right hand he seems to uncover himself to greet the visitors.
A woman assists to the scene.
In front of the holy family the three magi stand behind one another to pay their homage to the newborn.
The first magi has a pointed beard. He is already kneeling out of deference and has placed his crown to his feet. He gives the baby a hanap filled with gold coins. This is Melchior as the legend describes him with white hair and a long beard.
Caspar, the second magi bears a cup of incense. He is looking at the third magi and with his right hand he points to the star that has guided them there. He has a short beard and wears crakow shoes, breeches and a wide sleeved doublet.
Finally Balthazar, the elegant last magi proceeds proudly towards the holy family with his one hand on the saber’s hilt and the other holding a cup. He brings the divine child the myrrh. He probably just dismounted as the horse can be seen behind him.
The scene is set in a very detailed and narrative decor. In the right part of the panel the shepherd receive the announce of Jesus’ birth. An angel comes down from heaven with a scroll bearing the good news in his hands. The herding dog sleeps peacefully while sheeps graze. At the top of the cliff we notice the gilded sheeps enclosure.
The panel’s moulded frame is carved with a foliated decor. In it’s centre appears a coat-of-arms. It is the alliance of the three magi’s arms. Indeed as it was common for legendary figures the three of them received imaginaries coat-of-arms. Thus, on a field of azure stands a star for Melchior, a crescent for Caspar and a pennon for Balthazar.
This high-relief panel is undeniably the work of a very skilled and imaginative artist. This key moment in the New Testament is transposed to a contemporary environment thanks to the figures’ clothing and the rural daily life scene. This way the universal dimension of the episode is highlighted allowing a better understanding for the contemporaries.
The sculptor has represented the episodes of the Adoration of the Magi and the Announce to the Shepherd with great talent and numerous details giving life to a picturesque and narrative scene. The important traces of polychromy give those already very animated scenes a stronger pictorial power and a rich dynamism.
Because of the picturesque and familiar realism so dear to the artists of the late Medieval era, of the didactic function of this type of panel as well as the quality of the sculpture this piece is an astounding example of Burgundian art of the 15th century.
Literature
Louis Réau, Iconographie de l’Art chrétien...
Category
15th Century and Earlier French Gothic Antique Wood Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Walnut
Large Continental 19th Century Giltwood Carved and Patinated Bronze Crucifix
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A large and impressive Continental 19th century patinated bronze and giltwood carved Crucifix. The later giltwood carved cross frame with a monstrance ...
Category
Late 19th Century Antique Wood Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Bronze
CLARTE Life Size Art Deco Bronze Lamp Standing Nude with Globe by Max Le Verrier
Located in Antwerp, BE
Clarté life size Art Deco bronze lamp standing nude with globe by Max Le Verrier. Patinated bronze on octagonal wooden base and with crackled glas...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary French Art Deco Wood Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Bronze
"La Immaculada, " Polychromed Mid-19th Century Figural Carving
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Figural wooden carving of the Blessed Virgin Mary (Immaculate Conception). Carved in folkloric style, this well-preserved statue retains its original coat of polychrome paint. Its flesh tones, light-blue, and silver-gilding vividly shine through a natural patina that has become glossy from a century’s worth of handling.
The Virgin as the "Immaculata" (conceived in immaculate purity), is posed on the globe of the world, in triumph over sin, represented by the serpent that tempted Eve with a forbidden apple.
The sculpture's facial features include glass eyes and eyelashes.
This rare antique sculpture is perfect for a collection of sacred antique...
Category
1850s Italian Antique Wood Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Wood
Art Deco Period Hand Carved & Painted Butler Dumb Waiter Statue
Located in Forney, TX
An interesting and whimsical Art Deco period hand carved and painted dumb waiter, this listing is for the butler statue only (the maid has already sold)....
Category
Early 20th Century Art Deco Wood Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Wood
17th / 18th Century Italian Wooden Foot of a Santos
Located in Buisson, FR
Wonderful decorative item.
Italy circa 1650-1750
Weathered.
Category
17th Century Italian Baroque Antique Wood Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Oak
Red and Gold Gilt Indian Acanthus Carved Finial Drilled to Be Made into a Lamp
Located in Yonkers, NY
A vintage Indian red painted and parcel gilt wooden finial from the mid 20th century with carved acanthus leaves, pre-drilled to be made into a table lamp. Created in India during th...
Category
Mid-20th Century Indian Wood Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Wood
Vintage 1970s Hopi Katsina Figure, Kachina Doll, circa 1970s
Located in San Francisco, CA
Vintage 1970s Hopi Katsina Figure - Kachina Doll, circa 1970s
Measures: 7" wide x 6" deep x 14" high
The doll shows a few minor losses and cracks - Please review all images
...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Wood Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Wood, Paint
19th C Pair of Breton Polychromed Fruitwood Statues, Fisherman and His Wife
Located in Leuven , BE
The polychromed statues are in an excellent state and date from a period when profane sculptures started to replace the religious ones.
Category
19th Century French Antique Wood Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Wood
Andrianna Shamaris Antique Statue from Borneo
Located in New York, NY
Antique male statue hand carved from a single wood log from West Borneo. Originally used to protect the home from evil spirits and placed into the ground in front of the house as a g...
Category
1950s Tribal Vintage Wood Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Metal
19th Century Set of Study Hands Saint Sculptures
Located in Mexico City, CDMX
Circa 1900. We offer this fantastic set of study hands saint sculptures. This set of pieces belonged to a sculptor of religious figures who used these models to create the christian ...
Category
Early 1900s Mexican Spanish Colonial Antique Wood Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Stucco, Wood
Important Virgin and Child in Majesty
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Important virgin and child in majesty
Origin : Germany Or Eastern France
Époque : Second Half Of The 13th Century
Height: 104.5 cm
Length: 3...
Category
15th Century and Earlier Antique Wood Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Oak
Salvador Dali Contemporary Portlligat Wood Sculpture Sunbed
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Design by Salvador Dalí, 1903
manufactured by BD Barcelona
Solid Iroko wooden structure with polyamide wheels. Optional upholstered cushion with water repellent foam and materi...
Category
2010s Spanish Modern Wood Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Wood
Pair of 18th Century Italian Putti
Located in Atlanta, GA
A stunning pair of mid-18th century Italian Baroque Putti beautifully crafted in polychromed wood - now resting on their iron stands. Charming position w...
Category
18th Century Italian Antique Wood Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Wood
19th Century Set of Study Hands Saint Sculptures 'Set 2'
Located in Mexico City, CDMX
Circa 1900. We offer this fantastic Set of Study Hands Saint Sculptures. This set of pieces belonged to a sculptor of religious figures who used these models to create the christian ...
Category
Early 1900s Mexican Spanish Colonial Antique Wood Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Stucco, Wood
Terracotta Head Bust Sculptures, Set of 4
Located in New York, NY
A beautiful set of four (4) terracotta head bust sculptures. Four female head sculpture carvings glazed in terracotta. Beautiful decorative objec...
Category
20th Century European Wood Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Terracotta, Wood
Andrianna Shamaris Antique Statue from Sumba
Located in New York, NY
Antique male statue hand carved from a single wood log from Kodi Sumba. Originally used to protect the home from evil spirits and placed into the ground in front of the house as a gu...
Category
1950s Tribal Vintage Wood Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Metal
Tall Pair of Neoclassical Carved Giltwood Wall Trophies or Appliques
Located in Nashville, TN
Presents very well, each trophy( possibly a grand tour souvenir ) of matte lemony gilt with water gilt accents. The set an allegory to Arts, music , sciences, and architecture, Of c...
Category
Mid-20th Century French Louis XVI Wood Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Wood
Distinct Hand Carved Art Deco Sculpture of a Religious Man
Located in Tilburg, NL
Distinct Hand Carved Art Deco Sculpture of a Religious Man with child. Early 20th century.
Distinct and skillfully hand-carved art deco wood sculpture...
Category
Early 20th Century Unknown Art Deco Wood Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Wood
1900s French Articulated Life-Size Mannequin's Arm in Painted and Plastered Wood
Located in Haarlem, NL
Very pretty and decorative early 20th century French articulated life-size mannequin's arm in dark brown painted and plastered heavy solid wood.
To lay or hang and use for extraordi...
Category
Early 20th Century French Wood Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Plaster, Wood
Daniel Bouesso « Christ Head » Wenge circa 1930 African Art
Located in Beuzevillette, FR
Original sculpture, representing the head of Christ, made by Daniel BOUESSO. It represents Christ wearing the crown of thorns, with his eyes closed. His face is filled with a certain serenity. This head is placed on a visible cross above and on either side of his skull.
The sculpture is made in a tribal taste, reminiscent of African art. A dark wood (Wenge) is used as a support.
The back bears the name of the artist: Daniel BOUESSO.
Daniel Bouesso is a Senegalese artist of the second half of the 20th century. He comes from the Haouassas ethnic group. This sculptor is mainly known for his representations of African figures.
Category
Mid-20th Century African Wood Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Wood
Black Forrest Style Carved Barrel Head
Located in Chicago, IL
Heavily carved barrel head in the black forest style.
Category
1920s German Vintage Wood Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Wood
Large Carved Wood 'Man & Woman' Figural African Folk Sculpture
Located in Glendale, CA
Large carved wood 'Man & Woman' figural African Folk sculpture. An expressive pair of human figures exquisitely handcrafted from richly colored wood and mounted independently on a me...
Category
20th Century African Folk Art Wood Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Metal
20th Century Round Bronze Plaque Depicting a Male Profile on Wooden Stand
Located in Catania, Sicilia
Round Bronze Plaque Depicting A Male Profile On A Wooden Support From The 1900s. Particular and signed object. Not easy to find, as it was commissioned by...
Category
Early 20th Century Italian Art Nouveau Wood Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Bronze
18th Century Wooden Santos Jesus Sculpture Relic Vintage Antique Glass Eyes
Located in Hyattsville, MD
Interesting 18th Santos figure with glass eyes, but without hands or feet, this piece was part of a large installation. Appears all original with he...
Category
Late 18th Century Spanish Baroque Antique Wood Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Wood
19th Century Antique Virgin Mary Sculpture in Hand Carved Wood
Located in Casale Monferrato, IT
Rare antique Virgin Mary sculpture. Perfect for a collection of sacred antique items. High artistic quality of Italian sculpture. Made entirely o...
Category
1850s Italian Antique Wood Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Wood
Andrianna Shamaris Antique Wood Statue from Borneo
Located in New York, NY
Antique male statue hand carved from a single wood log from West Borneo. Originally used to protect the home from evil spirits and placed into the ground in front of the house as a g...
Category
1950s Tribal Vintage Wood Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Metal
Andrianna Shamaris Antique Statue from Borneo
Located in New York, NY
Antique male statue hand carved from a single wood log from West Borneo. Originally used to protect the home from evil spirits and placed into the ground in front of the house as a g...
Category
1950s Tribal Vintage Wood Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Metal
Andrianna Shamaris Antique Statue from Borneo
Located in New York, NY
Antique male statue hand carved from a single wood log from West Borneo. Originally used to protect the home from evil spirits and placed into the ground in front of the house as a g...
Category
1950s Tribal Vintage Wood Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Metal
19th Century Hopi Carved and Painted Wood Kachina Figure
Located in Bradenton, FL
19th Century Hopi carved Kachina doll.
Circa 1900: cottonwood with earthen pigments, 7 3/8 in. H., with a stand. Collection inventory number on back of skirt.
Category
Late 19th Century American Native American Antique Wood Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Wood
Unusual Sculpture Clock Depicting a Native American, France, 1890
Located in Milan, IT
A clock with "Parisian" movement, with pendulum and half hour chime, white enamel dial with garlands of roses, inserted in a bronze patinated white (antimony) metal sculpture, with g...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Wood Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Metal, Enamel
Chinese Qing Dynasty Wood Sculpture
Located in Dallas, TX
18th/19th Century Chinese Wood Sculpture Of A Emperor or General. Retains Some Polychrome Decoration And Horsehair Beard, Male Figure Seated On ...
Category
Late 18th Century Chinese Qing Antique Wood Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Wood
Carl Gutt , "Galant Scene" German Sculptural Group circa 1892
Located in Madrid, ES
CARL GUTT (1867-?) "GALANT SCENE"
German sculptural group, in fruit wood and carved ivory, circa 1892.
Based on a wooden base.
Small flaws.
Dim.: (s...
Category
19th Century German Art Deco Antique Wood Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Wood
Aharon Bezalel Cast Bronze, Modernist, Brutalist, c 1969
Located in Buffalo, NY
Aharon Bezalel Cast Bronze, modernist, brutalist. c 1969, Wonderful form and artistry.
Category
1660s Brutalist Antique Wood Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Bronze
Mythical Art Hercules and The Hydra Wood Sculpture
Located in Chula Vista, CA
Mythical Hercules and The Hydra Wood Sculpture
11 tall x 6 w x 12 d
Original preowned vintage condition.
See images provided.
Category
1970s Mid-Century Modern Vintage Wood Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Wood
17th Century Carved Figure of a Saint
Located in Gloucestershire, GB
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...
Category
17th Century German Gothic Antique Wood Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Oak, Paint
Stunning Pair of French 17th Century Wall Brackets
Located in Atlanta, GA
A truly stunning pair of 17th century Wall Brackets from the Provence region of France. Expertly carved with Putti heads having wonderful expressions. Excellent patina.
Category
Mid-17th Century French Antique Wood Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Oak
Chinese Polychrome Carved Wood Tang Horse and Rider Statue Sculpture
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Chinese Polychrome carved wood Tang horse and rider statue sculpture. Item features a wax stamp to rear, desirable paint loss throughout, solid ...
Category
Mid-20th Century Asian Chinoiserie Wood Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Wood
Black Forest Figure of a Tavern Maid and Elk Horns
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
This stylish and chic German, black forest carving of a serving maiden with elk horn-mounts dates to the 1950s-1960s. The piece is hand-carved and is finished in a warm pecan colorat...
Category
Mid-20th Century German Black Forest Wood Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Metal
Beautiful Sculpture Depicting Saint George Slaying the Dragon
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
BEAUTIFUL SCULPTURE IN POLYCHROME LINDEN REPRESENTING SAINT GEORGE SLAYING THE DRAGON
ORIGIN : SOUTHERN GERMANY, SWABIA
PERIOD : LATE 15th CENTURY
Polychrome linden wood, silvered flange
Measures: Height : 104 cm
Width : 21 cm
Good state of conservation, original polychromy
HISTORICAL
Officer in the Roman army, Saint George passed through a city plagued by a voracious dragon that devoured its inhabitants. To appease the monster's hunger, the villagers offered him sheep, but when all the cattle were sacrificed, two young people were drawn.
One day, fate designated the king's daughter, forced to be delivered to the dragon. Initiating a fight to save her, Saint George, on his horse, triumphed over the monster by piercing it with his spear. In order to symbolize the victory of faith over Evil, the different versions of the legend end with the death of the dragon. However, the Golden Legend, by Jacques de Voragine affirms that the creature was only wounded and that the saint would have dragged it, chained, at his side. Before leaving the city, Saint George distributed to the poor the money that the king had given him as a reward.
After his victory over the dragon, came the passion of the saint. Indeed, Saint George was martyred for refusing to sacrifice to pagan idols during the persecution of Diocletian. The saint suffered numerous physical abuses from which he miraculously survived. He was eventually beheaded and his holy body was retrieved by an angel.
DESCRIPTION
This polychrome sculpture represents Saint George standing, his foot on the dragon which he strikes down with a spear. This image is one of the most evocative of the iconography of Saint George. He is represented young and beardless, in infantry armor, typically German, due to the length of the poacher who protects the thighs of the saint. The armor covers his whole body, from the neck, with the gorget, to the foot with the sabatons. The armor is realistic thanks to the precision of the parts composing it and this silver highlight which gives it a patina with metallic reflections
The saint is wearing a hood with raised brown edges, revealing curly hair down to the bottom of his neck.
The face of the saint seems serene, and his attitude controlled, a symbol of chivalrous virtues.
Concerning the posture, Saint George raises his right arm and bends the left in order to plant his spear in the mouth of the dragon. He is in contrapposto, his left foot crushing the long neck of the monster.
The dragon, on the other hand, is salamander-like with large, pointed ears and a large, jagged crest on its back. The creature opens its mouth and twists its neck in pain. A green color covers its skin, and highlights of red are located inside its mouth and ears.
This exceptional piece is the reflection of a remarkable sculptural work, due to the harmony that emerges from the composition, the precision of the details and expressions, as well as the contribution of the polychromy that animates this scene.
LITERATURE
Louis Réau, Iconographie de l’Art Chrétien...
Category
15th Century and Earlier Antique Wood Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Wood
Anatomical Model: a Jaw with Teeth, Italy, 1880
Located in Milan, IT
Anatomic model for class depicting a jaw with a teeth, made out of painted papier machè mounted on round black wooden base. Italy 1880 ca.
Category
Late 19th Century Italian Antique Wood Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Plaster, Fruitwood, Paper
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