853 - St. Bartholomew

St. Bartholomew Baroque bust Wood, carved, silver-plated, and gilt Height: 70 cm Patron saint of miners, farmers, tanners, bookbinders, and butchers St. Bartholomew is one of the Twelve Apostles of Christ. According to tradition, he spread Christianity as far as Armenia, where he was martyred. Legend has it that his skin was flayed while he was still alive, which is why the flaying knife is one of his characteristic attributes. This tradition is particularly linked to his veneration as the patron saint of tanners, bookbinders, and butchers. The carved half-figure depicts the saint in a richly decorated cloak with a gilded border, held together across the chest by a large clasp. The dark-appearing silver setting contrasts with the golden sections of the robe and emphasizes the bust’s precious appearance. The hands gesturing in front of the body lend the depiction a lively expression and evoke the apostle’s missionary work. Various tools on the pedestal may allude to his martyrdom or to his veneration as the patron saint of various occupational groups.