-Italy 18th Century Lombard Carved & Polychromate Sculpture of St Peter of Verona

An Italian 18th century sculpture of St. Peter of Verona.

A magnificent sculpture of St Peter martyr of Verona, created by a member of the Lombard art school in Verona Italy, in the very early 18th century. The exquisite carving depicts the martyr saint standing, bearded and dressed as an archbishop, with very richly decorated ropes. St Peter show two wounds: one in the head and the other close to the heart. The sculpture is decorated with polychrome as black and gray, and the clothes are embellished with an absolutely fabulous, gilded work. Most probably this sculpture was part of a bigger scene or an altar and is actually mounted in a customized wood round base. In traditional iconography this martyr saint is usually depicted holding a large book in his left hand and a pen in his right. In the case of our piece, a compassionate and resigned image of his fatal fate is shown. Probably an image of his ascension to the heavens.

Pieces of art referring to this saint are very rare as it is a very particular religious and devotional art in Lombardy in the northeast of Italy. As a piece of 18th century Veronese-Lombardian art school is a unique opportunity to own.

St Peter of Verona

Peter of Verona (1205 – April 6, 1252), also known as Saint Peter Martyr and Saint Peter of Verona, was a 13th-century Italian Catholic priest. He was a Dominican friar and a celebrated preacher. He served as Inquisitor in Lombardy, was killed by an assassin, and was canonized as a Catholic saint 11 months after his death, making this the fastest canonization in history. Peter was born in the city of Verona into a family perhaps sympathetic to the Cathar heresy. Peter went to a Catholic school, and later to the University of Bologna, where he is said to have maintained his orthodoxy and, at the age of fifteen, met Dominic of Osma. Peter joined the Order of the Friars Preachers (Dominicans) and became a celebrated preacher throughout northern and central Italy. In his sermons he denounced heresy and also those Catholics who professed the Faith by words but acted contrary to it in deeds. Crowds came to meet him and followed him; conversions were numerous, including many Cathars who returned to the Catholic church. Because of this, a group of Milanese Cathars conspired to kill him. They hired an assassin, Carino of Balsamo. Carino's accomplice was Manfredo Clitoro of Giussano. On April 6, 1252, when Peter was returning from Como to Milan, the two assassins followed Peter to a lonely spot near Barlassina, and there killed him and mortally wounded his companion, a fellow friar named Domenico. Carino struck Peter's head with an axe and then attacked Domenico. Peter rose to his knees and recited the first article of the Apostles Creed. Offering his blood as a sacrifice to God, according to legend, he dipped his fingers in it and wrote on the ground: Credo in Deum, the first words of the creed. The blow that killed him cut off the top of his head, but the testimony given at the inquest into his death confirms that he began reciting the Creed when he was attacked. Domenico was carried to Meda, where he died five days afterwards.

Saint Peter the Martyr, Fra Angelico, 1438, altarpiece, Royal Collection, Hampton Court, London, United Kingdom, Ruth Pérez Buendía

Weight: 1,496.4 Grams, (1.49 Kg).

Measurements: 273 mm by 138 mm by 109 mm (10.75 x 5.45 x 4.28 Inches).

Note: This sculpture is an antique piece of art with around 300 years old.

Condition: The overall condition of this sculpture of St Peter of Verona is excellent. Beside the little normal wear, there is no damage, and all parts are secured in the settings. This piece has been carefully inspected to guarantee the condition and the authenticity.

INVENTORY REF: D041324AANM/.6734