Wooden statue of St Damian

Wooden statue of St Damian Wooden statue of St Damian Wooden statue of St Damian Wooden statue of St Damian

Creative Commons LicenseThis image is released under a CC BY-NC-SA 4.0 Licence

Buy this image as a print 

Buy

License this image for commercial use at Science and Society Picture Library

License

Creative Commons LicenseThis image is released under a CC BY-NC-SA 4.0 Licence

Buy this image as a print 

Buy

License this image for commercial use at Science and Society Picture Library

License

Creative Commons LicenseThis image is released under a CC BY-NC-SA 4.0 Licence

Buy this image as a print 

Buy

License this image for commercial use at Science and Society Picture Library

License

Creative Commons LicenseThis image is released under a CC BY-NC-SA 4.0 Licence

Buy this image as a print 

Buy

License this image for commercial use at Science and Society Picture Library

License

Science Museum Group
© The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum

Science Museum Group
© The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum

Science Museum Group
© The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum

Science Museum Group Collection
© The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum

Wooden figure of Saint Damien, twin brother of Saint Cosmas, patron saints of physicians, possibly French

St Damian and his twin brother St Cosmas were physicians who provided medical treatment free of charge in the hope of converting their patients to Christianity. The twins are said to have died for their Christian beliefs in the 300s CE.

St Damian is shown carrying a pestle and mortar used to pound ingredients for drugs, one of the tools of his profession. The brothers are considered by some Christians to be the patron saints of physicians. The statue is carved from wood and was probably used in a church to focus prayer.

Details

Category:
Classical & Medieval Medicine
Collection:
Sir Henry Wellcome's Museum Collection
Object Number:
A136379
Materials:
wood
Measurements:
overall: 510 mm x 152 mm x 130 mm, 3.72kg
type:
statue
credit:
Treanton