Europe, France, ca. 19th century CE. A beautiful and evocative devotional figure of one of the most famous saints, Joan of Arc. The piece is made from plaster and richly painted. She stands with her arms crossed, her longsword pressed diagonally across her breast; the scabbard hangs in a belt at her side. Her armor is heavily detailed, including rivets and plates, and painted a glittering silver. Her helmet and gloves are between her armored feet. Her shield rests against one foot, marked with a cross and a standard. Beneath her armor, hints of a thick white vest are visible, and she wears a dark green skirt, depicted with flows and folds, and dotted with small, incised fleur-de-lis. The figure is atop an integrated pedestal and a later worshiper has wrapped a beaded rosary around her neck and body. Size: 4.625" W x 16.5" H (11.7 cm x 41.9 cm)

Joan of Arc (Jeanne d'Arc), the Maid of Orleans, was an illiterate villager canonized by the Roman Catholic Church for her military leadership - which she said was guided by visions from God - during the Hundred Years War. She was burned at the stake as a martyr (and enemy combatant). An unusual figure with a striking story, she has inspired women and men for generations, and has been popularly portrayed in thousands of works of art, often, as she is here, in armor and holding a sword.

Provenance: ex Kurquhill's Gallery, El Paso, Texas, USA; ex private El Paso, Texas, USA collection, acquired early to mid 1970s

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#127839

Some small chips to the plaster at corners and edges, most noticeably with a loss to the top of the sword. Head is reattached. Repair to shield/one foot/gloves (which are between the feet). Nice remaining details and bright colors.