Statuette of St. Christopher.

Upper Rhineland, probably Basel, 1425-50
Raised, cast, engraved, punched, and partially gilded silver
Height 17 ½ in. (44.2 cm.)
Historisches Museum Basel

Making visual the idea that the Christ Child bears the weight of the world, the artist has put a mappa mundi in his right hand. The leaves atop the staff reference the miracle by which Christopher was assured that the child was indeed Christ. The river over which the man carried Christ is suggested by the swirls at the base.

Read more about images of St. Christopher

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• Iconography of St. Christopher
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Source (photo and data): Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York