Saint Maximin, Bishop of Trèves, with a bear (one of a pair)

An item at Metropolitan Museum of Art

Saint Maxime (d. 346) was an early bishop of the German city of Trier and became its patron saint. According to legend a bear attacked Maxime's pack horse and was then tamed and commanded by the saint to carry his load. The pack saddle with his possessions became a symbol of Maxime's episcopal burden. This object is one of a pair (08.52.2).

European Sculpture and Decorative Arts

An exhibit at Metropolitan Museum of Art

The fifty thousand objects in the Museum's comprehensive and historically important collection of European sculpture and decorative arts reflect the development of a number of art forms in Western European countries from the early fifteenth through the early twentieth century. The holdings include sculpture in many sizes and media, woodwork and furniture, ceramics and glass, metalwork and jewelry, horological and mathematical instruments, and tapestries and textiles. Ceramics made in Asia for export to European markets and sculpture and decorative arts produced in Latin America during this period are also included among these works.

Metropolitan Museum of Art