Nanban, Japanese St Peter

BLESSING ST PETER

Japan, end of the 16th century – beginning of the 17th century.
Painted, gilt and lacquered wood, eyes inlaid.
H.: 61 cm

Tall, massive, old, St Peter stands on a rock, in front of the viewer. The keys he holds, his short and thick beard, are the characteristic attributes found in St Matthew (Mt 16:17-19).

Catholic devotional support by its iconography, this work was however not realized through western art concepts. Indeed, our sculpture was created into stylistic and material canons of Japanese Buddhist sculpture, between the end of the sixteenth century and the beginning of the seventeenth, period corresponding to the commercial and religious presence of the Europeans in the archipelago. This work is of the greatest rarity, in fact an outstanding testimony of sculpture in Nanban art.

Complete file on request.