TYPE:Art SUB TYPE:Sculpture REGION:Europe SUB REGION:Italy MEDIUM:Wax Relief SGD/UNS:Signed Rev? TITLE:17th C Italian St. Louis Bertrand Wax Sculpture CATALOG NOTES:An original sculpture done in polychrome wax in high relief in what may be it's original frame. The work shows the figure of St. Louis Bertrand, also known in Spanish as San Luis Beltran. Louis Bertrand was a Spanish Dominican friar who visited North America and was one of the first to introduce Christianity to that continent. A masterpiece of carving. The most detail we have ever scene especially in such a small format. The figures have perfectly done fingers with fingernails. The snake has fangs and a red forked tongue. Original vellum backing with much inscription in Latin on reverse. Probably identifies the scene and artist. INSIDE HEIGHT:7 INSIDE WIDTH:7 OUTSIDE HEIGHT:11 OUTSIDE WIDTH:10.75 OUTSIDE DEPTH:

Overall for a piece made from wax that is centuries old, it is in amazing condition. There are a few broken pieces, but because it is sealed in glass, they are still in there. All pieces of the foliage. The frame has a few missing elements at top.