Saint Christopher with the Christ Child, Spain, late 16th – early 17th C

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Although the 18th century, the period of the Enlightenment in France, spawned thinkers who criticized the privileges of the clergy and the truthfulness of certain dogmas, the Roman Catholic faith was very much present in everyday life. Since king Louis XIV had issued the Edict of Fontainebleau in 1685, Protestantism was banned from the country. This Madonna with child illustrates the daily practice of faith. Like many 18th-century Madonna statues...

An exceptionally beautiful antique French wood carving, made in the 17th century. It depicts Madonna standing with open offering arms .The...

Saint Erasmus or Saint Elmo (Antioch, ca. 240 – Formia, 303) was an Italian bishop and patron saint of the sailors. His attribute was the capstan, a winch on which the anchor chains were rolled up. He died as a martyr for his faith, and his bones were transferred to Gaeta in the 9th century, where they are kept in the cathedral to this day. The electric phenomenon of Saint Elmus fire is named after Saint Erasmus and the 16th C humanist Desiderius Erasmus. Little is known with certainty about Saint Erasmus' life. However, many legends may have been passed on orally until - no older writings are known with certainty. His birthplace was in present-day Syria. However, the persecution of Christians under Emperor Diocletian forced him to flee to Mount Lebanon...

Mechelen dolls are rare wooden devotional figurines (mainly walnut was used), which were made by some members of the Guild of Saint Luke. The figures, all individual saints, were made from reference models using highly regulated carving and polychrome techniques. They had to meet several requirements. The shape of the rug had to meet certain criteria and the letter M (from Mechelen) had to be visible in the shape. These devotional or saint figurines...

"Saint Anthony Of Padua With The Infant Jesus – Polychrome Wooden Sculpture, Tyrol, 18th Century " Saint Anthony of Padua with the Christ Child – Tyrolean Polychrome Wood Sculpture, ...

Hand-carved from limewood in Germany, circa 1930, this four-and-a-half-foot tall statue depicts St Christopher carrying a young Jesus across a river. The legend states that Christopher (who was considered to have size and strength), was instructed to serve Jesus by assisting travelers with crossing a perilous river. One day a young child asked for help, and after safely reaching the far shore, Christopher complained about the child being heavier than the whole world. It was at this point that the child revealed he was Jesus before...

High relief panel depicting 'Saint Barbara' Southern France, 16th-17th century Polychrome carved wood with traces of gilding 64 x 32 cm. (good condition, with minor missing and cra...

San Giuseppe con Bambino in Terracotta splendido esempio di plastica bolognese del 1700, dalla cerchia dello scultore italiano Angelo Gabriello Piò (Bologna 1690 – 1770). Modellato...