Saint Anthony Abt

St Anthony is dressed in the vestments of the Antonite monastic order, of which he is regarded as the founder. He is leaning with his right hand on a T-shaped staff, while reading a book held in his other hand. Tradition has it that St Anthony devoted his life to God in total seclusion in the desert, where he was regularly exposed to the temptations of the devil. The monster at St Anthony’s feet is a reference to these temptations. The demon is engaged in battle with a pig,

St Anthony’s attribute, which is supposed to be derived from the Antonites’ privilege to let their pigs roam free through the streets of the town and forage in the refuse, in return for the monks’ care of the sick. The maker of this statue is associated with one of the many anonymous woodcarvers who were influenced by the Master of Elsloo.