Saint Joseph in Boots

One of the most popular saints in Brazil, here in traditional guise: bearded, with dark hair, in a broad draped mantle with estofado work of great quality. The carefully carved right hand holds the silver flowering staff, symbol of the virginal marriage and of his victory over the other suitors for Mary's hand. The left lies flat on his chest.

As in many images of Saint Joseph, he appears in boots to the knee — an allusion to the flight of the Holy Family into Egypt, escaping Herod's persecution.