A Fine & Rare Set of Four Large 16th-Century Renaissance Antique Carved Oak Panels in Original Polychrome

A remarkable set of four original 16th-century Renaissance carved wooden panels, each depicting a standing saint framed within an architectural niche. These extraordinary pieces of religious sculpture feature high-relief carving, rich original patina, and intricate detailing indicative of the Northern or Southern European Renaissance workshops, circa 1500–1540.

​Each panel is carved from a single piece of wood, designed with a deep, arched canopy of scrolling vines and foliage, a common decorative motif in Renaissance ecclesiastical art. Below the figures, a fluted and acanthus-leaf-decorated pedestal provides a substantial base, further emphasizing the figures' importance. The dark, aged wood possesses a deep, lustrous patina, highlighting the crispness of the original carving.

Provenance: Flanders or Gemany. First half 16th-Century.

Condition: Please see the images. Surface wear is commensurate with age. The panels retain significant amounts of their original polychrome.

Dimensions: Each panel measures approximately 55 cm (21.65 inches) in height by 23.5 cm (9.25 inches) in width.

​The Saints and Their Symbolism

​The four figures appear to be Apostles or Early Christian Saints, identified by their unique attributes:

1. ​Saint with a Scroll/Book (Left): The figure on the far left holds a scroll or small book and appears youthful or beardless, perhaps suggesting an Evangelist such as St. John the Evangelist or another disciple. The scroll signifies their role as a writer or preacher of the Gospel.
2. ​Saint Holding a Chalice (Second from Left): This figure prominently holds a Chalice (or Cup). This is the unmistakable attribute of Saint John the Evangelist, often depicted with a chalice from which a serpent or small dragon emerges, symbolizing the poisoned wine he was forced to drink but miraculously survived. The gentle, contemplative pose aligns with his traditional depiction.
3. ​Saint Holding Bread/Loaves (Third from Left): The third saint holds what appears to be a small loaf of bread or multiple small loaves, or possibly stones. This attribute is most commonly associated with Saint Philip the Apostle, who is known for the Biblical account where Christ tested him about how to feed the multitude (John 6:5–7). Alternatively, the small, round objects could be stones, the attribute of a martyred figure such as Saint Stephen (the first martyr).
4. ​Saint Holding a Crozier/Pastoral Staff (Far Right): The figure on the far right wears what appears to be a mitre (a bishop's hat) and holds a Crozier (a shepherd's crook-shaped staff). This attire identifies him as a Bishop Saint, likely a great theologian or early church father. This could be Saint Nicholas, Saint Augustine, or another prominent bishop martyr. The crozier symbolizes his office as a spiritual shepherd of his flock.

​These panels would have served a religious and didactic purpose, educating the faithful on the lives and virtues of the saints, and now serve as an exceptional piece of historical and religious art for the discerning collector.