An Indo-Portuguese statue of Saint Jude: A Timeless Wooden Masterpiece

The Feast Day for Saint Jude and Saint Simon, the Apostles is October 28th
An Indo-Portuguese statue of Saint Jude: A Timeless Wooden Masterpiece
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This Indo-Portuguese sculpture of Saint Jude is entirely carved from a single piece of wood. The hands which were separate attachments have been lost over time. The image has been mounted onto an additional pedestal so as to give it an elevated position. The upper base has (carved from the same piece of wood as the sculpture), bears a nameplate in the center, with no text on it. The saint is represented wearing a log robe with gilded square floral motifs all over the robe and traces of red coloration which has almost completely faded away.

Saint Jude, 19th Century
Saint Jude, 19th CenturyFrazer Andrade's private collection of Goan Christian art

He is shown partially covered in a green veil which symbolizes hope. Edges of his veil and robe along with those of the base are gilded. Loss in the paint layer is visible in several areas. The back of the image bears a vertical strip of exposed wood which appears like it was never ever painted since the image was created. A silver halo on the saint adds to the divine character of this representation. The halo is designed to look like outward radiating rays and is embellished with pearl like motifs along its edges.

Herald Goa
www.heraldgoa.in