How old are these wooden saint figures?

The pieces span from pre-sixteenth century medieval and Gothic works up to nineteenth-century revival and twentieth-century carvings. Dating relies upon tool marks, wood species, and stylistic traits typical of specific regional periods. Earlier examples from the fifteenth and sixteenth centuries exhibit distinct Gothic or Renaissance characteristics, while seventeenth and eighteenth-century pieces often show Baroque movement and richer surface polychromy.

How do I care for antique wood sculptures?

Keep wooden figures away from direct sunlight, heating vents, and rapid humidity shifts to prevent the timber from splitting or warping. Dust gently with a soft, dry brush and avoid applying modern polishes or cleaning liquids. Stable indoor environments preserve both the underlying timber and any fragile historic paint or gesso layers that remain on the surface.

Were these figures originally painted?

Many historic figures were brightly painted and gilded to enhance their visual impact within dim church interiors. Over centuries, much of this pigment wore away or was stripped, leaving exposed wood with only traces of the original colour. Traces of pigment and gold leaf are prized by collectors as evidence of a piece's authentic liturgical history and age.

What woods were commonly used?

Carvers utilised local hardwoods suited to their region, most notably oak, limewood, walnut, and applewood. Oak provided robust strength for large architectural pieces, while limewood offered a fine grain ideal for intricate detail. Each timber reacts differently to age, contributing unique surface textures and patination to the surviving sculpture.