An Italian carved and painted pine figure of St Gerard Majella, 20th century, with a halo over his head and clutching a crucifix, on a canted rectangular base, 28cm wide 26cm deep 112cm high San Gerardo Maiella, or St. Gerard Majella, as he is known in English, is the Catholic saint of expectant mothers. He was born in Muro Lucano, Basilicata, in 1726, and in his short 29-year life, worked closely with peasants in the Neapolitan countryside. His most famous miracle, and the one for which he became the patron saint of expectant mothers, involved his giving a handkerchief to a young woman, which when she was in labour years later, completely alleviated all of her pain and prevented her death in childbirth. He died of tuberculosis in 1755, was beatified in 1893 and was canonised in 1904. Condition report: Losses to paint throughout. Splits throughout, particularly to base. Knocks, wear and losses.