Antique 18" Carved Wood St. Boniface with Bible and Axe, Apostle to Germans, Christmas Tree Saint
Here we have an antique carved wood statue in a medieval style of St. Boniface (680–754), who is known as the Apostle to the Germans, and who based on actual historical events, is considered the founder of the use of a Christmas tree to celebrate the birth of the Christ Child. It is a long story of how the Christmas tree came about, but the crux is that Boniface, already established in the Church as a reform minded missionary, was evangelizing in parts of modern Germany when he learned of inhabitants in the village of Geismar who every year would gather around a huge oak tree, called the Thunder Oak of Thor, to sacrifice a human for the god. Boniface wanted to destroy the oak tree, who the inhabitants believed he could not destroy. But on the night of the sacrifice, Boniface did just that, grabbing an axe and cutting down the Thunder Oak of Thor, behind which was a small fir tree. Boniface told the inhabitants who looked on in astonishment: “This little tree, a young child of the forest, shall be your holy tree tonight. It is the wood of peace… It is the sign of an endless life, for its leaves are ever green. See how it points upward to heaven. Let this be called the tree of the Christ-child; gather about it, not in the wild wood, but in your own homes; there it will shelter no deeds of blood, but loving gifts and rites of kindness.” The piece has smooth and more lustrous surfaces at the shoulders and head--something we call "touch patina." This statue came from the estate of a man who had many pieces of uncommon art and folk art, and I am told the piece was passed down from his family. There is some ingrained dust in the crevices, but the piece is in good condition. It has both a base, very narrow, and a hanger on the back for hanging.
Measures about 18" tall and the narrow base is by about 5" wide by 2-1/2" deep. Weighs close to three pounds unpacked. A couple of spots where the original stain has been rubbed away revealing a lighter wood color underneath.
A rare carving of a beloved German saint.
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Please convo with questions, or call (505) 369-6865. Will return your call as soon as possible.
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