What is a polychrome religious statue?

Polychrome statues are carved wooden or plaster figures painted in multiple colours, traditionally created for devotional use in churches, chapels, and private residences throughout Europe.

What materials were traditionally used to create carved saint figures?

These sculptures were generally hand-carved from dense hardwoods or softwoods such as lime, pine, or oak, then layered with gesso, painted with pigment, and sometimes detailed with leaf gilding.

How do you identify authentic antique polychrome wood carvings?

Authentic carvings typically feature visible tool marks from hand chiselling, micro-cracking in the paint finish, natural wood shrinkage, and genuine oxidisation where the paint layer has thinned.

How do you style a carved religious statue in a modern interior?

Placing a sculptural figure on a sideboard, console table, or architectural alcove provides a strong focal point when juxtaposed against clean modern lines and neutral colour palettes.

How should painted wooden statues be cleaned and preserved?

Sculptures should be kept away from direct heat sources and fluctuating humidity to prevent timber movement. Dust gentle using a dry, soft-bristled brush without applying liquid polishes or water.

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Bohumil Kafka (1878-1942 Czech) Rare Tall Polychrome Carved Statue with Baby Jesus

Name: Bohumil Kafka (1878-1942 Czech) Rare Tall Polychrome Carved Statue with Baby Jesus
Brand: Antique
SKU: SA1031790
Price: 3450 GBP
Availability: InStock

1900 - 1920

For Sale by Artsonline

Description

Bohumil Kafka (1878-1942 Czech) RARE TALL POLYCHROME CARVED STATUE OF BABY JESUS

Brief Description:

This is a magnificent and rare original early 20th-century Antique Carved Wooden Polychrome Statue depicting St. Anthony of Padua with the infant baby Jesus in his arms.

The exceptional carving dates from circa 1900-1915 and it measures a very impressive 3.s feet in height.

Carved by the famous listed Czechoslovakian Sculptor and teacher Bohumil Kafka (1878-1942).

The intricately carved polychrome painted piece is entirely original throughout, retaining the original pigmentation with a fabulous aged patina.

It has a carved and gilt-painted signature on the base that reads:-

B. Kafka - Cerveny Kostelec (Czech Republic).

A rare piece and a fabulous original example with two carved figures.

Bohumil Kafka (1878-1942) Biography.

Bohumil Kafka was a Czech sculptor and educator. He studied in Prague with the sculptor Josef Václav Myslbek before moving to Vienna and then to Paris to continue his studies.

He worked in London, Berlin and Rome before returning and settling in Prague. He often worked in a symbolist and expressive style. He was a notable animalist, as well as being known for his decorative sculpture. He is considered a predecessor of the Art Nouveau style and was greatly influenced by the works of Auguste Rodin.

Attributes:

Carved Polychrome Statue

Signed: 'B. Kafka'

Circa: 1900-1915

Czechoslovakian

Condition:

The piece is offered in an entirely original condition.

There are some aged wood splits and one tip of baby Jesus's fingers is missing.

There is also evidence that they may have both had a wire Halo which would have attached to the neck of each figure but this is an easy fix if one wished to replace them.

Framed Measurements:

INCHES & CENTIMETRES

Height: 38.5'' | 97.9 cm

Width: 16.5'' | 41.9 cm

Depth: 10'' | 25.4 cm

^^ Fast & Free UK Delivery Included^^

*A Certificate Of Authenticity (COA) will be provided by artsonline with this piece*

Delivery

Artsonline UK ships worldwide daily, using only fully insured, priority, and fully tracked delivery services.

Great care and much time are taken over the safe transportation of the Fine Art and Antique pieces that we sell.

We pack extremely carefully, so you can rest assured that your piece will arrive with you in perfect condition.

For larger paintings, antique furniture pieces, and fragile items that can not be sent via the normal postal services, we use professional door-to-door delivery providers, who will always strive to deliver your piece promptly, within approx. 7-14 working days.

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Artsonline provides a genuine no-quibble 14-day money-back refund policy

(excluding the cost of Postage and Packaging).

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Physical Dimensions

Height

97.9cm (38.54")

Width

41.9cm (16.50")

Depth

25.4cm (10.00")

Declaration

Artsonline has dated this Carved Polychrome Saint Statue to the 1910s.

Reference Numbers

Sellingantiques Reference

SA1031790

Dealers Notes

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Description

Bohumil Kafka (1878-1942 Czech) RARE TALL POLYCHROME CARVED STATUE OF BABY JESUS

Brief Description:

“

This is a magnificent and rare original early 20th-century Antique Carved Wooden Polychrome Statue depicting St.

Artsonline

Anthony of Padua with the infant baby Jesus in his arms.

fig 1. A carved polychrome wood statue depicting a saint in a brown robe holding the infant Jesus. — fig 1. Bohumil Kafka (1878-1942 Czech) Rare Tall Polychrome Carved Statue with Baby Jesus

The exceptional carving dates from circa 1900-1915 and it measures a very impressive 3.s feet in height.

Carved by the famous listed Czechoslovakian Sculptor and teacher Bohumil Kafka (1878-1942).

The intricately carved polychrome painted piece is entirely original throughout, retaining the original pigmentation with a fabulous aged patina.

fig 2. A carved polychrome wood statue depicting a saint in a brown robe holding the infant Jesus. — fig 2. Bohumil Kafka (1878-1942 Czech) Rare Tall Polychrome Carved Statue with Baby Jesus

It has a carved and gilt-painted signature on the base that reads:-

B. Kafka - Cerveny Kostelec (Czech Republic).

A rare piece and a fabulous original example with two carved figures.

Bohumil Kafka (1878-1942) Biography.

fig 3. A carved polychrome wood statue depicting a saint in a brown robe holding the infant Jesus. — fig 3. Bohumil Kafka (1878-1942 Czech) Rare Tall Polychrome Carved Statue with Baby Jesus

Bohumil Kafka was a Czech sculptor and educator. He studied in Prague with the sculptor Josef Václav Myslbek before moving to Vienna and then to Paris to continue his studies.

He worked in London, Berlin and Rome before returning and settling in Prague. He often worked in a symbolist and expressive style. He was a notable animalist, as well as being known for his decorative sculpture. He is considered a predecessor of the Art Nouveau style and was greatly influenced by the works of Auguste Rodin.

fig 4. A carved polychrome wood statue depicting a saint in a brown robe holding the infant Jesus. — fig 4. Bohumil Kafka (1878-1942 Czech) Rare Tall Polychrome Carved Statue with Baby Jesus

Attributes:

Carved Polychrome Statue

Signed: 'B. Kafka'

Circa: 1900-1915

Czechoslovakian

Condition:

The piece is offered in an entirely original condition.

There are some aged wood splits and one tip of baby Jesus's fingers is missing.

fig 5. A carved polychrome wood statue depicting a saint in a brown robe holding the infant Jesus. — fig 5. Bohumil Kafka (1878-1942 Czech) Rare Tall Polychrome Carved Statue with Baby Jesus

There is also evidence that they may have both had a wire Halo which would have attached to the neck of each figure but this is an easy fix if one wished to replace them.

Framed Measurements:

INCHES & CENTIMETRES

fig 6. A carved polychrome wood statue depicting a saint in a brown robe holding the infant Jesus. — fig 6. Bohumil Kafka (1878-1942 Czech) Rare Tall Polychrome Carved Statue with Baby Jesus

Height: 38.5'' | 97.9 cm

Width: 16.5'' | 41.9 cm

Depth: 10'' | 25.4 cm

^^ Fast & Free UK Delivery Included^^

A Certificate Of Authenticity (COA) will be provided by artsonline with this piece*

Delivery

Artsonline UK ships worldwide daily, using only fully insured, priority, and fully tracked delivery services.

fig 7. A carved polychrome wood statue depicting a saint in a brown robe holding the infant Jesus. — fig 7. Bohumil Kafka (1878-1942 Czech) Rare Tall Polychrome Carved Statue with Baby Jesus

Great care and much time are taken over the safe transportation of the Fine Art and Antique pieces that we sell.

We pack extremely carefully, so you can rest assured that your piece will arrive with you in perfect condition.

fig 8. A carved polychrome wood statue depicting a saint in a brown robe holding the infant Jesus. — fig 8. Bohumil Kafka (1878-1942 Czech) Rare Tall Polychrome Carved Statue with Baby Jesus

For larger paintings, antique furniture pieces, and fragile items that can not be sent via the normal postal services, we use professional door-to-door delivery providers, who will always strive to deliver your piece promptly, within approx. 7-14 working days.