A carved oak figure of Saint Anthony Abbot Flemish, 16th / 17th century With traces of polychrome decoration, wearing monastic robes, whilst holding a bible in his left hand, and a pig to his left foot on a plinth base, lacking right hand, 24cm wide, 14cm deep, 61cm high (9in wide, 5 1/2in deep, 24in high) Footnotes: Saint Anthony Abbot was a Christian monk who is considered the father of Christian Monasticism. He is often depicted with a pig nearby, as in the present lot. His religious order cared for people suffering from diseases such as ergotism, or 'Saint Anthony's Fire', and the order were allowed to raise pigs whose fat could be used in treatments of these diseases. These pigs were often seen with bells around their necks so that they could roam freely and still be found by the monks. For further information on this lot please visit Bonhams.com For further information about this lot please visit the lot listing