Saint Florian. Polychrome and gilt wood. Austria or Hungary. Circa 1700

Saint Florian. Polychrome and gilt wood.

Austria or Hungary.

Circa 1700

San Floriano is the protector against fires and the patron saint of firefighters.
The cult of the saint had a large diffusion in Austria and adjacent countries: Hungary, Slovakia, Northern Italy. Similar Baroque sculpture, always monumental in size, with ancient Roman clothing, abundant gilding, and a face with a mustache, can be seen in the Budapest museum, in the Hungarian art department.
On one side our sculpture has some shortcomings: the hands and left arm. But at the same time it is very well preserved as regards the original gilding and polychrome. On the back the sculpture is hollowed out.
On the body of San Floriano it can be seen how the gilding was done in the form of a leaf (see photo).
For the state of conservation, please refer to the photos.