No idea what this is

[Thilvern]

No idea what this is. Was digging around and found this, and I didn't know where else to post. Isn't holding any version of the cross I've seen before, it seems to be just an upside down L. Has some daisy or lily flowers on the belt, and head must have gotten chopped off while I was digging. Seems relatively new, probably last 50 years. Inside is either quartz, marble, or more likely some sort of rock hard plastic. Has some silvery nail looking bits on the tunic on either side of it that go maybe 1/4 of the body. Would like some help identifying.

 

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[CreakyDigger]

It is St. Thomas the Apostle, patron saint of builders. He's holding a square rule.

 

[Thilvern]

No idea what this is. Was digging around and found this, and I didn't know where else to post. Isn't holding any version of the cross I've seen before, it seems to be just an upside down L. Has some daisy or lily flowers on the belt, and head must have gotten chopped off while I was digging. Seems relatively new, probably last 50 years. Inside is either quartz, marble, or more likely some sort of rock hard plastic. Has some silvery nail looking bits on the tunic on either side of it that go maybe 1/4 of the body. Would like some help identifyin

Ohh, thank you so much! Very interesting, as I just found this photo that says sears is selling this statue of st. joseph. Same thing but with colors inverted. Looked it up and said that people are burying them for good luck in selling a house, and I found it in my yard. Not being a religious person, I was wondering if those two saints were the same, and if I should rebury the figurine or not.

 

[CreakyDigger]

Ohh, thank you so much! Very interesting, as I just found this photo that says sears is selling this statue of st. joseph. Same thing but with colors inverted. Looked it up and said that people are burying them for good luck in selling a house, and I found it in my yard. Not being a religious person, I was wondering if those two saints were the same, and if I should rebury the figurine or not.

Well, they can call it St. Joseph but his symbol is in Christian icons is a Lily, not a square...it is definitely St. Thomas the Apostle. I don't think that there is any significance whatsoever in burying or reburying it. You could safely discard it without a scruple.

 

[billb]

No idea what this is. Was digging around and found this, and I didn't know where

Ohh, thank you so much! Very interesting, as I just found this photo that says sears is selling this statue of st. joseph. Same thing but with colors inverted. Looked it up and said that people are burying them for good luck in selling a house, and I found it in my yard. Not being a religious person, I was wondering if those two saints were the same, and if I should rebury the figurine or not.

else to post. Isn't holding any version of the cross I've seen before, it seems to be just an upside down L. Has some daisy or lily flowers on the belt, and head must have gotten chopped off while I was digging. Seems relatively new, probably last 50 years. Inside is either quartz, marble, or more likely some sort of rock hard plastic. Has some silvery nail looking bits on the tunic on either side of it that go maybe 1/4 of the body. Would like some help identifying.

Congratulations on your beautiful recovery

 

[CreakyDigger]

Maybe I'm being too confident here...just read where St. Joseph is sometimes depicted with carpenter tools....so, it's either or.

 

[crashbandicoot]

Having been a finish carpenter for a good part of my life I can assure you I,m intimately familiar with St. Thomas in his role as patron saint of builders.Some of the situations I,ve been called on to overcome very well might not have been conquered without his help!!!! St. Thomas it is!

 

[Red-Coat]

I believe Sears have it right. Both St. Thomas the Apostle and St. Joseph have an association to the square. In Joseph’s case it’s a carpenter’s square since that was his profession and he has long been the patron Saint for that profession. However, I think only St. Joseph also has association with the lily.

This from the website of St. Joseph’s University in Philadlphia:

In 1955, an additional feast day was declared by Pope Pius IX and is celebrated on May 1 as the Feast of St. Joseph the Worker. This date is also International Workers’ Day and believed to reflect Joseph as the patron saint of workers. The statue in front of Barbelin Hall of St. Joseph the Worker was donated by students of The Evening School who studied in the evenings after work.

Symbols associated with Joseph include the carpenter's square and lily. The carpenter’s square not only symbolizes Joseph’s trade but also the concept of truth. The lily, which can also be seen in the Saint Joseph’s University logo over the letter J, represents purity and Joseph’s celibate marriage to the Virgin Mary.

Joseph is the patron saint of the Universal Church, families, fathers, expectant mothers, travelers, immigrants, house sellers and buyers, craftsmen, engineers and working people, among others. In the grotto behind the Chapel of Saint Joseph stands a statue of St. Joseph the Dreamer. Serving as a space for personal retreat, prayer and reflection, the grotto features a light that is always on.

https://www.sju.edu/news/10-facts-about-st-joseph-honor-his-feast-day

This is the statue referred to, with Joseph holding a huge square:

 

[Thilvern]

Thank you all! Very much helped me, whether it be St. Joseph or St. Thomas. I'll be on this site again, for sure, as my area is moderately well rooted in history, although I suppose this find was a lot more modern.

 

[crashbandicoot]

A finds a find,St.Joseph or St.Thomas,I,ve needed a little divine help to solve some of the stuff I,ve been confronted with! Thank you RedCoat for once again setting things aright.

 

[Digger RJ]

No idea what this is. Was digging around and found this, and I didn't know where else to post. Isn't holding any version of the cross I've seen before, it seems to be just an upside down L. Has some daisy or lily flowers on the belt, and head must have gotten chopped off while I was digging. Seems relatively new, probably last 50 years. Inside is either quartz, marble, or more likely some sort of rock hard plastic. Has some silvery nail looking bits on the tunic on either side of it that go maybe 1/4 of the body. Would like some help identifying.

🤷🏼‍♂️Nice!!! Congrats!!!