Neptune, unknown maker from the Holy Roman Empire

These two sculptures depict the Roman god of the sea, Neptune (standing), and the ruler of the gods, Jupiter (bending over). According to a Christian legend, as the Holy Family fled to Egypt, they passed statues of pagan gods. As they passed, the statues fell and broke. Neptune is still intact, indicating that the Holy Family has not yet passed by his statue.

These two sculptures depict the Roman god of the sea, Neptune (standing), and the ruler of the gods, Jupiter (bending over). According to a Christian legend, as the Holy Family fled to Egypt, they passed statues of pagan gods. As they passed, the statues fell and broke. Neptune is still intact, indicating that the Holy Family has not yet passed by his statue.

These two sculptures depict the Roman god of the sea, Neptune (standing), and the ruler of the gods, Jupiter (bending over). According to a Christian legend, as the Holy Family fled to Egypt, they passed statues of pagan gods. As they passed, the statues fell and broke. Neptune is still intact, indicating that the Holy Family has not yet passed by his statue.

Archive Label 2003: The figurine with reeds curling between his legs is identified as Neptune, god of the seas, while the other is Jupiter, who grasps thunderbolts in his hand. Jupiter is curiously depicted as a statue breaking in half with a dragon-like creature emerging from its hollow interior. This representation relates to an apocryphal legend associated with the Christian story of the Flight of the Holy Family into Egypt. According to the legend, as Joseph, Mary, and the Christ Child passed by statues of pagan gods on their journey, these fell down and broke, with their evil nature escaping from the shattered sculpture. Neptune is still intact, indicating that the Holy Family has not yet passed by his statue. The setting for these figurines could have been part of an elaborate Nativity tableau with episodes both preceding and succeeding the birth of Christ.