Post Medieval Painted Wooden Saint Barbara Statue
17th century A.D. A free-standing, naturalistically modelled figure of Saint Barbara, standing in an animated manner beside a scaled-down tower or turret with stone and glass came detailing, the saint shown with one bare foot emerging from beneath the hem of her luxuriant floor-length robes, adorned with a jewel near her right breast and crowned with a jewelled diadem; extensive remains of gesso and polychrome pigmentation; metal fitting to reverse for securing the figure upright. 38.3 kg, 1.34 m high (52 3/4 in.). English private collection. Saint Barbara is the patron saint of architects. Her father constructed a tower and imprisoned his daughter within it. To honour the Holy Trinity, Barbara had three windows incorporated into the design. The timber shows some old insect flight holes and we are advised that this piece has been recently treated with Permethrin, as a precaution. A video of this lot is available to view on Timeline Auctions Website.]