Sainte Barbe - France (Northern France) Ca. 1520

Wooden sculpture (oak) - France (Northern France) - XVI th century (ca. 1520) 

Saint Barbara was an early Christian Lebanese and Greek saint and martyr.
Saint Barbara is often portrayed with miniature chains and a tower. As one of the Fourteen Holy Helpers, Barbara continues to be a popular saint in modern times, perhaps best known as the patron saint of armourers, artillerymen, military engineers, miners and others who work with explosives because of her legend's association with lightning, and also of mathematicians.
A 15th-century French version of her story credits her with thirteen miracles, many of which reflect the security she offered that her devotees would not die before getting to make confession and receiving extreme unction.