Lot 544
SPANISH CARVED FIGURE OF SAINT CHRYSOLIUS
LATE 16TH/ EARLY 17TH CENTURY
Auction: Five Centuries: Furniture, Paintings & Works of Art
Description
the standing figure wearing a long tunic tied at the waist with a cloak draped over his shoulders, his hands presented in supplication, the top portion of his head held in place by pegs
Dimensions
49cm high
Footnote
Note: Saint Chrysolius was a 3rd century AD missionary in northeastern Gaul, where he became a bishop. During the persecution of Diocletian he was martyred in the region of modern Flanders. According to legend, he was captured by Roman soldiers and condemned to be decapitated, however only the top of his skull was sliced off. The top of his cranium then broke into three pieces and fell to the ground where springs miraculously erupted. Chrysolius recovered to the top of his skull and walked to Komen, where he died. His relics are venerated in Bruges.