Dreams Less Sweet Antiques

Description

17th / 18th Century Italian carved wooden religious sculptural statue of Saint Roch.

Circa 1700.

An atmospheric and striking sculptural display piece.

This unusual carving ironically reflects the wounds of the plague in the way the wood has cracked or broken over time, especially the crack where the saints finger is pointing and on the same side of his face. Creating a very contemporary sculptural appearance that really adds to the power and aesthetics of the piece.

Saint Roch was depicted as a Plague Saint after 1477, displaying the wounds of his martyrdom without pain or suffering , lifting his robes to display the plague Bubo wound on his thigh. The sight of Roch scarred by the plague but still alive symbolised that one could survive the plague, a saint who had triumphed over the disease in his own flesh.

Characterful and sculptural loses and cracks as shown.

Set on a contemporary base.

H: 92 cm / W: 32 cm / D: 25 cm