Cough up £10m to keep 15th century statuette of Saint Christopher in London
A 15th century German statuette of Saint Christopher will be shipped out of the UK unless a buyer willing to spend £10m on it can be found.
The late Gothic statuette was a gift to the Monastery of Kaiserheim in South Germany in 1493 and shows the Saint wading through a river, holding a staff in his left hand.
“Silver sculpture of this date is rare, and objects of this quality rarer still, so even though it is well documented, there is much to learn, about how and by whom it was made, the relics it contains and its relationship to its companion, St Sebastian, as well as its later history,” Reviewing Committee on the Export of Works of Art and Objects of Cultural Interest member Pippa Shirley said.
“All of this means that its departure would be a great loss to the nation.”
The decision on the export licence application for the figure will be deferred until 3 October.
The export license may also be extended until 3 April next year, as long as a serious buyer surfaces to step up to the £10m price tag.
The historic piece currently resides in London’s V&A museum, which also houses a companion sculpture, the figure of Saint Sebastian.
“This breathtaking piece is testament to the outstanding skill of goldsmiths in the 15th century,” culture minister Caroline Dinenage said.
“I hope that a UK buyer can be found so the statuette can stay in the country along with its companion reliquary, the figure of Saint Sebastian.”