Alabaster statue of the Madonna of Trapani, Sicily, 18th century
Height x width x depth: 37 x 15 x 11 cm
Sculpted in the round depicting the full-length Madonna with the Child in her arms; on the base is a bas-relief coat-of-arms depicting a five-towered castle on the sea, surmounted by a scythe; this type of depiction, often bearing the five-towered coat-of-arms of the city of Trapani on the base, was widespread as a devout reminder of pilgrims, especially sailors, of whom this type of Madonna was the patron saint. Numerous examples can be found in Campania, Apulia and Sicily.