Seated Saint Peter
Sculpture, free-standing statue on a marble pedestal • After Arnolfo di Cambio (original 13th-century sculptor)
Style & Movement
Gothic Revival (based on Late Medieval/Byzantine-inflected Gothic)
Medium & Technique
Bronze, cast using the lost-wax technique with a dark chemical patina; likely seated in a carved stone or bronze throne with marble base
Creation Period
Modern era cast (late 19th to early 20th century) following a 13th-century prototype
Dimensions & Format
Approximately life-sized (approx. 150-180 cm in height), vertical format
Subject Description
Saint Peter the Apostle seated on a throne. His right hand is raised in a gesture of blessing (benediction), while his left hand holds the Keys to the Kingdom of Heaven. He is depicted with short curly hair and a beard, wearing heavily draped ecclesiastical robes. The backdrop features neo-Byzantine gold-ground mosaics and marble columns.
Condition & Value Assessment
Condition Assessment
Very Good; the bronze shows a well-preserved patina with notable localized wear on the right foot due to the tradition of pilgrims touching or kissing it.
Estimated Market Value
$50,000 - $120,000 (as a high-quality institutional cast; higher if sold with provenance from a major site)
Auction Estimate
$40,000 - $80,000
Provenance History
Commissioned for the Basilica of the Sacred Heart of Montmartre (Sacré-Cœur), Paris; likely cast by a French foundry such as Bardiene or Rudier specifically for this ecclesiastical context.
Art Historical Significance
This is a notable replica of the famous 13th-century bronze Saint Peter in St. Peter's Basilica, Rome. It represents the 19th-century 'Gothic Revival' and 'Catholic Restoration' in France, where Roman liturgical symbols were imported to Paris to strengthen ties between the French Church and the Papacy.
Notable Features
The presence of a hole or significant wear on the toes of the right foot, a classic indicator of 'devotional wear' from pilgrims. The background features neo-Byzantine mosaics depicting the Stations of the Cross (Station VII and VIII visible).
Condition Issues
Polishing and slight thinning of the bronze on the forward-projecting right foot; minor dust accumulation in deep crevices of the drapery; slight oxidizing of the bronze patina in areas of high humidity.
Conservation Recommendations
Periodic cleaning with a soft cloth to remove dust; application of microcrystalline wax to protect the patina from atmospheric pollutants; controlled indoor humidity.