Religious image of Bishop Sant Telm (Saint Erasmus of Formia)

Sant Telm, unknown, 18th century

Llegir més

Num. inventory: 19915

Object name: Religious Image

Title: Sant Telm (Saint Erasmus)

Object date: c. 18th century

Author: unknown

Technique and material: polychrome woodcarving

Figureheads and sculptures

The patron saint of seafarers in Catalonia was Sant Elm (Saint Erasmus, Bishop of Formia) until the 16^th or early 17^th century, when he was gradually replaced by Pedro González Telmo, Bishop of Tui, who was popularly known as Elm or Telm by association with his predecessor. Their similar names created a lasting confusion between the two saints, and one was replaced by the other almost without anyone noticing. In this image of Sant Telm, he wears the robe and mitre of a bishop, holds a crozier in his right hand and a model ship in his left.