St Barbara

Here St Barbara is standing alongside the tower in which she was imprisoned by her father. Her head is now bare but she would originally have worn a crown or circlet. St Barbara was one of the most popular subjects with sculptors working in Malines (Mechelen, Belgium), and about 15 statuettes of her are known. In the late Middle Ages people thought that St Barbara would offer protection from dying before receiving Holy Communion. Statues of her were therefore particularly suited to hospitals and homes. She was also the patron saint of groups such as artillerymen (harquebusiers) and sailors who were at risk of sudden death.