Antique 19th c. Hand-Carved Wood Sculpture KING BALTHAZAR

Antique 19th c. Hand-Carved Polychrome Wood Figurative Sculpture of KING BALTHAZAR (Continental School) | Remarkably hand carved from a single piece of wood, and hand decorated with paint and gold gilt | Approx. Size: 24.5" H x 12.25" W x 7" D | Minor cracks and paint loss, otherwise in very good condition considering age and use.Balthazar, also called Balthasar, Balthassar, and Bithisarea, was according to Western Christian tradition one of the three biblical Magi along with Caspar and Melchior who visited the infant Jesus after he was born. Balthazar is traditionally referred to as the King of Arabia and gave the gift of myrrh to Jesus. In the Catholic Church, he is regarded as a saint (as are the other two Magi).