A rare statue of the Irish saint of gardening and gardeners was sold for ten times the estimate at auction on April 9 in the UK. The value of the 15th Century medieval elm carved figure of St Fiacre was firstly estimated at £1,000-£1,500 but sold for the total of £15,750.
The 83cm tall statue portraying the saint wearing a hood over his habit and holding a bible and spade was offered at ‘The Howard Collection of Oak and Works of Art’ in Woolley & Wallis’ Furniture and Collections sale.
Even though he was born into an aristocratic family in the 7th century, St Fiacre chose to dedicate his life to religion and became a monk. While in servitude he developed the ability to make plants grow with ease and developed healing skills with the herbs he grew. His passion for nature led to him being granted the title of the Patron Saint of Horticulturalists and his feast is celebrated on August 30.
