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Iko & J. Schmutzer (design), Saint Joseph, 1924-1925, teak, 64 x 29 x 27 cm, Missiemuseum Steyl, object nr. Schm 06. Photo: Joop van Putten.

This statue is the counterpart to the standing Madonna. Joseph is depicted here with a long beard, which is said to refer to spiritual seclusion, or rather, monastic life. He wears his hair in a chignon, which is said to be inspired by how monks and simple folk were depicted in the reliefs at Borobudur. The statue is recognizable as Joseph by the attributes of the carpenter’s triangle in his left hand and the lily branch, which refers to Mary, in his right. It is on loan from the Schmutzer family to the Mission Museum in Steyl. Source: Schmutzer, Ten Berge, Maas, Europeanisme of katholicisme, 76.