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an image of a wooden statue of a man holding a crossan image of a statue of a man in a robe holding a staffan image of a statue of a man holding a staffan image of a wooden statue of a man holding a bookan old statue of a man with a crown on top of his headwooden statue of a man holding a bird on a wooden basewooden statue of a man holding a bird on a wooden base
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4 - German School. Swabia. Late Gothic.

Estimate €4,500 - €7,500
Sale commission
Description
German School. Swabia. Late Gothic. Late 14th century. 'Saint' Carved, gilded and polychromed wooden sculpture. 85,5 x 24 x 13 cm. A magnificent example of German Gothic sculpture. Saint Nicholas of Bari, Bishop of Myra, Anatolia. Although the image belongs to the Byzantine artistic tradition, the cult of Saint Nicholas became widespread in the West following the transfer of his relics to Bari in 1087, turning his tomb into an important place of pilgrimage. Our sculpture depicts the saint, as is customary, dressed as a bishop, wearing a mitre and holding a crozier, in one of his traditional iconographic representations. Iconographically, he usually holds a liturgical book in either his right or left hand, upon which appear three gold coins, three golden apples, three small bags, or three stones. This attribute derives from one of his most famous miracles: a neighbour of the saint had fallen into abject poverty and, unable to provide dowries for his three daughters, planned to have them engage in prostitution in order to survive. Secretly, under cover of night, Saint Nicholas threw bags of gold through the window of the house, thereby saving the virtue and future of the three young women. Over time, artistic representations of this episode depicted the gold in various forms, including bags, coins, fruit, or stones.
About the sale ABBATIALIS. Res Sacra.
Auction location
Auction time 11/05/2026 at 7:00 PM
Pictures credits: Contact the Auction House
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