SOUTH GERMAN, CIRCA 1500
THE PROPERTY OF A GENTLEMAN (LOTS 11-13)
SOUTH GERMAN, CIRCA 1500

SAINT HOMOBONUS

Details
SOUTH GERMAN, CIRCA 1500
SAINT HOMOBONUS
Polychrome limewood figure
The reverse hollowed out
31 ¾ in. (80.5 cm.) high
Provenance
Christie's, London, 4 July 2000, lot 18, where acquired.

Brought to you by

Donald Johnston
Donald Johnston

Lot Essay

Saint Homobonus, the 'good man', is depicted with his usual attribute, the beggar to whom he is giving alms. He was a merchant of Cremona (d. 1179), and used his wealth to aid the poor in the town. A legend says that while travelling, he gave all his food and drink to a beggar and as he refilled his flask from a stream, the water miraculously turned into wine. Although married and without having taken Holy Orders, he was canonized a few years after his death due to popular demand from his fellow citizens.

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