Antique Porcelain Child of Prague - 9 Inch Bohemian Porcelain Figure

Code: RS117

Dimensions:

Antique Porcelain Child of Prague - 9 Inch Bohemian Porcelain Figure - Hand Coloured Freestanding Statue of The Child - RS117

From c.1880, a very rare, very early, porcelain statuette of the Child of Prague, hand-decorated in red and gold. The holding of the statuette is in an old form, with the hands both held close to the body so that it could be made in one piece. The Crown, finished in red and gold has the marks of the jewels moulded into the golden bands. Very unusually, this statue is completely intact and unbroken. This is an antique of over two hundred years of age and there are some areas of discolouration. However, overall this item is in Very Good Antique Condition, with no chips or cracks.

The statuette stands at nine inches high and is made from fine white Antique Bohemian porcelain. The red used in the colouration of His cloak and Crown is a deep, orange-red colour that is accented perfectly by the gold highlights - on the Crown, the Orb and the chain of the Cross. Some very fine work has gone in to the details of His face and the front edges of the inner lining of the Robe, to represent Ermine.

The Child of Prague, or the Holy Infant Jesus of Prague as He likes to be called on formal occasions, has certainly been a figure of veneration in Ireland for almost 500 years. For the Irish people, it has been a particular object of devotion.  Until well into the 20th century, almost every Catholic home in Ireland would have had a Child of Prague statue.  The Child was introduced to Ireland by the towering figure of Francis Moylan, Bishop of Cork in the 18th century, and according to tradition.... 
THE POWER OF THE STATUE IS STRONGEST IF ITS HEAD HAS BEEN KNOCKED OFF — BUT THIS HAS TO HAPPEN ACCIDENTALLY.

In Ireland, where we live, there’s a weather connection with the Child of Prague. You don’t want a fine soft day bucketing down on your wedding or your child's wedding, and part of the custom is placing the statue outside the bride’s house, under a hedge or bush in the garden to ensure fine weather for the Day. AND......when the G8 summit was held at the Lough Erne resort, a statue of the Child was placed in the grounds so the world leaders could appreciate the pastoral beauty of Fermanagh without being drenched.   AND.... Legend has it, that if a 'little bit extra' is needed for the household finances, The Child will look kindly on you if you place a coin under the statue.  We never mess with Legends.

Navan-born actor and former Bond star Pierce Brosnan engaged the help of the Child of Prague for his wedding to Keely Shaye Smith. “ It was August and I remember this old woman telling me we had to get a Child of Prague statue and put it outside the west corner of the building... So I staggered out after my night out with the lads and into the gardens of Ashford Castle. I found a hydrangea bush and put the statue in it.”

The Child measures 9" or 23cm in height; just over 3" or 8cm wide and 2.25" or 6cm deep. Unpackaged weight is 150 grams.
THIS STATUE IS IN EXCEEDINGLY GOOD, IF DIRTY, ANTIQUE CONDITION. 

Your purchase will be carefully packed in recycled wrappings where possible and despatched by An Post or Courier Service. 
*************THE PRICE INCLUDES TRACKED INTERNATIONAL SHIPPING*******************