Patinated Terracotta Statue Of Saint Philomena, Provence, Santibelli, 19th Century

A beautiful and interesting terracotta statue of Saint Philomena, dating from the early 19th century. Empire or Restoration period. Probably of Provençal manufacture, in the style of the Santibellis of Marseille, made in Marseille and the surrounding region. Philomena is a saint, virgin, and martyr of the Catholic Church, who was the object of a cult from 1805 to 1961, a cult that originated from the remains found in 1802 in the Catacomb of Priscilla in Rome. An inscription "Filumena" (transcribed as Philomena) was taken for the name of the person buried there; it was then assumed that this person was a virgin martyr. The remains were brought to Mugnano del Cardinale in Campania in 1805 and became the object of significant veneration. Height: 52 cm. Note: some damage and missing pieces. An inscription in lead pencil under the base reads "According to [Frédéric] Mistral protects the Chansonniers and the Trouvères".