17th-century Polychrome Wooden Statuette Of Saint Sebastian The Martyr

Religious polychrome wood sculpture depicting the martyrdom of Saint Sebastian* bound with ropes to a tree trunk, his body wounded, pierced by arrows, and bleeding from his wounds, dating from the 17th century.

This statuette is in good overall condition, in its original state. The rectangular wooden base is a later addition.

Please note: numerous chips and missing pieces (on the arms, hair, torso...), cracks in the wood, some wear on the polychrome paint, and signs of age; see photos.

was a Roman martyr who, according to Christian tradition, lived in the 3rd century. Born in Narbo Martius, in Gaul (now Narbonne, in France), Sebastian was a citizen of Milan, Italy. A career soldier, he was favored by the emperors Diocletian and Maximian Hercules, who appointed him a centurion. During Diocletian’s persecution, however, he was executed on the rulers’ orders for having supported his fellow believers in their faith and performed several miracles. First tied to a post and pierced with arrows (sagittation), he was ultimately killed by flogging after having miraculously recovered the first time. Patron saint of archers, infantrymen, and police officers, as well as the third patron saint of Rome (along with Peter and Paul), Saint Sebastian is primarily invoked to ward off the plague and epidemics in general.

• Height 36.5 cm
• Width approx. 15 cm
• Base 15 cm x 9.3 cm
• D10 135
• All photos are available at:
  www.antiques-delaval.com