French: Saint Barbara; Unidentified artist; French; c. 1500; Limestone with polychromy and gilding; Saint Barbara holds objects that help tell her story: the tower refers to the one in which she was imprisoned; and the feather symbolizes her birthplace of Heliopolis in Egypt. Created in France during the late Gothic period; a small sculpture like this would have been placed on a church altarpiece or pulpit to encourage worship. It might also have been made as an architectural embellishment.; Overall (with integral base): 13 5/8 x 5 x 4 in. (34.6 x 12.7 x 10.2 cm)