Lot 15
15
A FRENCH PARCEL-GILT ALABASTER FIGURE OF SAINT ROCH
A FRENCH PARCEL-GILT ALABASTER FIGURE OF SAINT ROCH

EARLY 17TH CENTURY

Details
A FRENCH PARCEL-GILT ALABASTER FIGURE OF SAINT ROCH
Early 17th Century
The standing figure with a staff and a pilgrim's hat hanging down his back, with the dog bringing him a loaf of bread at his side, lifting his coat tails to reveal a sore, above a naturalistic base and later wood stand
17in. (44cm.) high

Lot Essay

St. Roch (1293-1327) was a Christian saint, born in Montpelier, France, who travelled much in Europe devoting himself to nursing victims of the plague. The Black Death first appeared in Italy in 1348, but it was not until the following century, when the disease had spread throughout Europe, that Roch became established as the protector of the sick. Because he made the journey to Rome, Roch is generally dressed as a pilgrim with staff. Roch lifts his tunic to show a black spot inside his thigh, the part of the body where the Bubonic plague typically first manifested itself. He is accompanied by his dog who brings him a loaf of bread in its mouth.