St Joseph - Large 16.75 Inch Irish Plaster Freestanding Statue

St Joseph - Large 16.75 Inch Irish Plaster Freestanding Statue - St Joseph holding the Child Jesus - G. Pacini & Sons Dublin c.1936s - RS136

A beautifully made vintage / antique plaster statue of St Joseph and Child Jesus, made in Dublin, Ireland in the early 20th Century. The statue is freestanding and measures 16.75" or 42.5cm in height, including the coloured base plinth and is approx. 6" or  15cm wide at the widest point, and 4" or 10cm deep.   The statue depicts Saint Joseph holding the sleeping Child Jesus in his left arm, while carrying a long stem of lilies in his right. The sleeping Jesus is cradling a small cross to himself with both hands. The Child is all in white, with gold trim and Joseph is in a white robe also trimmed with a golden trim and also has a draped shawl of brown. He stands barefoot on the mound. As expected there is some paint loss; small chips of paint most noticeable on Joseph's dark hair and his cloak. These however are quite small and entirely in keeping with the age.

The statue is clearly marked with the makers' initials to the rear of the plinth:- Pacini & Sons, (Luigi Pacini and Sons, "L P") who ran a business at 112 Lower Clanbrassil Street, Dublin between 1936 and 1946, according to the local business registry who listed their business as 'Statuary' - the listing appears in separate section, under 'Manufacturers of Irish Goods', following the Trades' Directory, in 1936.  The Business then re-appears under 'Figure Maker and Moulder' in the main section of the Dublin Trades' Directory in 1946.

The statue has lived most of its life in a sheltered side alter at a local convent that has now closed. The squared plinth is coloured in green and brown to represent the earth and grass with a plain grey band below. This statue is in 'as found' condition and carries the ORIGINAL GRIME from the years in the Convent; this is surface grime only and will lift quite easily - this can be cleaned off by us if requested by the buyer. There is the expected wear considering the age and accessibility of the piece in the Convent.

It weighs a hefty 1.5kg or 3lb without any packaging even though the body of the statue sounds to be hollow. The condition is 'good antique condition for its age', with chips and scratches to the paint colour as mentioned, but no more than would be expected. The wear on this statue gives the impression of it having been loved and handled by many.

Your purchase will be carefully packed in recycled wrappings where possible and despatched by An Post or Courier Service. 
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