Sculpture following 15th century Malines Gothic models; 19th century.

Sculpture following gothic models of Malines of the XV century; XIX century.
"Saint Catherine".
Bronze and marble base.
Provenance: Georges Savès collection.
Measurements: 14 cm; 3 x 8 x 8 cm (base).

This 19th century bronze sculpture represents Saint Catherine, following the gothic models of Mechelen of the 15th century. The figure shows the saint with characteristic attributes such as the sword and possibly the cogwheel, symbols of her martyrdom. With an elegant bearing and serene face, it reflects the stylistic delicacy of Flemish Gothic reinterpreted in later times.
Saint Catherine of Alexandria was a Christian martyr highly venerated in the Middle Ages, known for her wisdom, beauty and firmness in faith. According to tradition, she debated with pagan philosophers and was condemned to die on a wheel, an instrument that miraculously broke, being finally beheaded. Her image was very popular in European religious art, especially as a symbol of wisdom and spiritual strength.

This piece comes from the collection of Georges Savès (1908-1985), a French numismatist and collector with a deep vocation for archaeological study. Heir to a family tradition of collecting, he devoted himself fully to historical and numismatic research since the 1950s, especially on Toulouse and Gallic coins. Throughout his life, he assembled an eclectic collection of archaeological, ethnographic and artistic pieces, enriched in 1966 with the acquisition of part of the Roger Bédiat collection. Author of specialized studies, his legacy remains a reference in the academic and patrimonial fields.