{"product_id":"vintage-saint-benedict-nursia-plaster-statue-raven","title":"Vintage Saint Benedict of Nursia Painted Plaster Statue – 11 ¼″","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"n6owBd awi2gc\"\u003e\n\u003cmeta charset=\"UTF-8\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"\"\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"PDq2pG_selectionAnchorContainer\"\u003eA beautifully detailed vintage \u003cstrong\u003eSaint Benedict of Nursia religious statue\u003c\/strong\u003e, this 11 ¼-inch painted plaster figure depicts the founder of the Benedictine monastic tradition with several of his most recognizable attributes: his black monastic habit, abbatial crozier, cross, book, and the raven associated with one of the best-known legends of his life.\u003cspan class=\"PDq2pG_selectionAnchor\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe statue has particularly nice visual presence, with Saint Benedict's long white beard and black robes contrasted by a vivid red book, gilded crozier and cross, and gold-painted base. At his feet stands a black raven holding a small red object in its beak—an unusually charming detail referencing the story of the \u003cstrong\u003epoisoned bread\u003c\/strong\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe statue is made of \u003cstrong\u003emolded plaster with hand-applied painted decoration\u003c\/strong\u003e consistent with Catholic religious figures produced during the middle decades of the 20th century. The palette is especially effective: deep black robes, flesh-toned face and hands, white and gray beard, bright red book, green ground, and metallic-gold accents on the crozier, cross, chain, book edges, and base. The molded details are quite good for a devotional plaster figure, particularly the folds of the habit, facial features, individually modeled fingers and toes, feathering of the raven, and ornamentation of the chain and cross. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"PDq2pG_selectionAnchorContainer\"\u003eThe reverse of the base bears the letters \u003cstrong\u003e“MA,” scratched or incised by hand into the plaster and subsequently covered by the original gold-painted finish\u003c\/strong\u003e. The informal nature of the lettering suggests it may have been a workshop, decorator, mold, or production notation rather than a formal manufacturer's mark. No factory name or other identifying mark has been found.\u003cspan class=\"PDq2pG_selectionAnchor\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"margin: 22px 0 14px 0; padding: 8px 14px 6px 14px; border-left: 3px solid #334FB4; background-color: #f8faff;\"\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"color: #334fb4; font-size: 15px; letter-spacing: 0.2px; margin: 0 0 6px 0;\"\u003eCollector’s Note\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"PDq2pG_selectionAnchorContainer\"\u003eSaint Benedict figures have significance beyond their decorative appeal because their imagery tells his story. This example is particularly appealing for retaining the \u003cstrong\u003eraven at Benedict's feet\u003c\/strong\u003e, an attribute drawn from the centuries-old account of the saint and the poisoned bread. Together with the crozier, cross and red book, it makes the figure immediately recognizable to those familiar with Benedictine iconography.\u003cspan class=\"PDq2pG_selectionAnchor\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAt more than 11 inches tall, the statue also has enough scale to make an attractive focal point without requiring the space of a large church figure. Its predominantly black habit gives it a restrained appearance, while the gold, red and green details provide just enough color to highlight the symbolic elements. It would display beautifully in a collection of \u003cstrong\u003eCatholic devotional art, Benedictine memorabilia, vintage religious statuary, monastery-related objects, or ecclesiastical antiques and vintage decor\u003c\/strong\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"PDq2pG_selectionAnchorContainer\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eGood vintage condition with age-appropriate wear. \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan class=\"PDq2pG_selectionAnchor\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003eThe statue remains structurally intact, including the delicate projecting details. \u003cstrong\u003eAll fingers and toes are present\u003c\/strong\u003e, as are the crozier, book, cross, and raven. There are scattered areas of paint loss and small surface chips, most noticeably on the reverse of the black robe and around portions of the painted base. The gold finish also shows expected age-related wear and spotting.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe statue would benefit from a \u003cstrong\u003ecareful surface cleaning\u003c\/strong\u003e, which has been left to the future owner to undertake according to their preference. Because this is painted plaster, aggressive cleaning or soaking should be avoided. Please review photographs closely as they form an important part of the condition description.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"margin: 22px 0 14px 0; padding: 8px 14px 6px 14px; border-left: 3px solid #334FB4; background-color: #dee6ff;\"\u003e\n\u003ch1 style=\"color: #334fb4; font-size: 15px; letter-spacing: 0.2px; margin: 0 0 6px 0;\"\u003eIdentification \u0026amp; Symbolism\u003c\/h1\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"PDq2pG_selectionAnchorContainer\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSaint Benedict of Nursia (c. 480–547)\u003c\/strong\u003e is traditionally regarded as the father of Western monasticism and is best known for writing the \u003cem\u003eRule of Saint Benedict\u003c\/em\u003e. T\u003cspan class=\"PDq2pG_selectionAnchor\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003ehis figure incorporates several traditional Benedictine symbols:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eBlack habit and hood\u003c\/strong\u003e — representing Benedictine monastic life.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCrozier\u003c\/strong\u003e — signifying Saint Benedict's authority as an abbot and spiritual shepherd.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePectoral cross\u003c\/strong\u003e — another symbol of his religious and abbatial authority.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eRed book\u003c\/strong\u003e — traditionally interpreted as the \u003cem\u003eRule of Saint Benedict\u003c\/em\u003e, his influential guide to communal monastic life.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eRaven with bread\u003c\/strong\u003e — recalls the legend in which Benedict recognized that a loaf sent to him had been poisoned and commanded a raven to carry it away where it could harm no one.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Marked \"MA\"","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":43757233766467,"sku":null,"price":125.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0114\/3262\/4186\/files\/SaintBenedict1.jpg?v=1788567678","url":"https:\/\/thetownhouseantiques.com\/products\/vintage-saint-benedict-nursia-plaster-statue-raven","provider":"The Townhouse Antiques \u0026 Vintage","version":"1.0","type":"link"}