Vietnamese Santos Depicting St. Benedict

Roses scattered over a green robe, one hand raised in blessing and the other held open.

This santos depicting St. Benedict comes from French Indochina, present day Vietnam, Southeast Asia, and dates to the 19th century. It is carved and painted wood. Santos are carved devotional figures of saints, a tradition spread by Catholic missions, often painted by local craftsmen. This figure stands on a stepped octagonal base, bearded and wearing a cap. One hand is raised in blessing and the other turned outward. He wears a green robe with red roses and a long cloak lined in yellow and red. It is 22.25 inches high and 7.5 wide.

A saint in a flowered robe, and wearing it well.