The Diocesan Museum of sacred art
The sculpture of the Bambinello (Infant) in the collection of Alghero's Diocesan Museum of Sacred Art was originally housed in the Church of San Michele.
The wooden sculpture measures 38 cm and falls under Sicilian craftsmanship. Based on stylistic data it is assumed to date from the 19th century.
The work portrays the Infant Jesus lying down, with his arms stretched forward and wearing a white robe embellished with red coral jewels encapsulated in gold.
It is easy to believe that in the past, coral and various ornamental jewels applied to simulacra held a magic-apotropaic symbolism.
Necklaces, amulets and talismans enriched with this red gold were considered in popular culture to be effective objects against the evil eye and bad luck.
This ornate goblet, of golden copper and silver, is encrusted with dots, dashes and swirls of precious coral.
It was uncovered in the Church of San Michele, as were other seventeenth-century sacred articles of Sicilian craftsmanship.