Wood, carved in the round, polychrome coloring and remnants of gold staffage
Germany, 17th Century
Christopher with the child Jesus Christ holding a globe
Dimensions: 91 x 45 cm
Good Condition
Provenance: Collection of the tenor Michele Tiziano, Germany
Expressive sculpture of Saint Christopher, the patron saint of travelers and sailors, as well as the cities of Braunschweig, Hildesheim, Stuttgart, Würzburg and Vilnius

This full carved sculpture depicts the figure of St. Christopher with the child Jesus Christ on his shoulders, which is considered to be his holy attribute. Quite uncommon is the representation of the sacred in contemporary costume. According to The Golden Legend Christopher, usually depicted as a giant, initially was a fierce soldier with a terrible countenance named Offerus, who really wanted to serve the most powerful ruler. In search of this met a hermit who told him that only Christ is the most powerful of all. To serve him, he was given the task to carry people on his back across a dangerous river because he was tall and strong. One day he carried a child on his shoulders. On his way through the water, the load was getting heavier, so that he believed the burden of the whole world would be on his shoulders. Thereupon the child spoke ‘You carried more than the world, the Lord, who created the world, was your burden’. The child pushed him under the water and baptized him in the name of Christopher.



The sculpture is in condition with typical signs of age and wear consistent with its age. His attribute of the rod as well as parts of three fingers are missing. The green color has been revised, with remnants of gold staffage. The base is partly complemented. The dimensions are 91 x 45 cm.

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