Statue, Statue depicting Sao Manuel - 28 cm - Wood - 1790

A charming Portugese late 18th century wood statue depicting Sao Manuel of Persia. Sao Manuel or Immanuel ( which means " God
With us" in Hebrew) was martyred in Chalcedon in Asia Minor ( present day Turkey) under the reign of Emperor Julian the Apostate (361-363). He was martyred together with Sabel and Ismael. All three were legats from Persia that had to discuss the terms of a peace treaty with Emperor Julian. When they where invited by Julian to worship the God's of Rome, they politely refused with angered Julian, who went to great lengths to discourage and undermine Christianity in his Empire. The 3 legats were slain and murdered for their Christian faith. During the reign of Emperor Theodosius the Great a basilica was dedicated to the cult of these 3 Persian martyrs. San Manuel is popular in Portugal, Spain and Italy and is asked for help as a healer and as a spiritual teacher.
This wooden statue shower Manuel before he was martyred, his curas, helmet and shield lying at his feet. He only wears a loincloth and stares to the heavens his hands folded in prayer gestus. His eyes are made of glass. Parts of the polygromy are overpainted in later periods.