St Christopher, Master of Rimini (circle of), c. 1430
ivory, h 9.2cm × w 3.2cm Catalogue entry
The gigantic Christopher, who is described in legend as carrying the infant Christ across a river, became the patron saint of travellers. This compact sculpture of the saint was undoubtedly intended for a traveller to carry on a journey, to avert the perils that awaited those who took to the open road.
