A Set Of Twelve Reliefs Of The Apostles, Carved From Wood, Polychromed, And Gilded, Late 19th–early 20th Century

A complete set of twelve carved, polychrome, and gilded wooden reliefs depicting Saint Peter, Saint Paul, and ten apostles: Saint Andrew, Saint John, Saint James, Saint James the son of Alphaeus, Saint Thomas, Saint Thaddeus, Saint Matthew, Saint Simon, Saint Bartholomew, and Saint Philip.Each figure, rendered in a Neo-Romanesque style with stylized drapery, stands out against an arched niche with a gilded background embossed with circles and stars, in the style of the gold backgrounds found on ancient altarpieces. The saint’s name is engraved in Latin capital letters at the bottom of each panel, and the frame is painted in a weathered blue-green tone. Saint Peter and Saint Paul are depicted seated.The reverse side of the twelve panels bears engraved Roman numerals, attesting to the set’s completeness and authenticity. Slight variations in dimensions from one panel to another are evidence of handcrafted work. Dimensions: approximately 16.5 × 11.4 cm, thickness 2 cm (variations of a few millimeters from one panel to another).