A Renaissance Lamb with Biblical Overtones

It is not really known why this marble lamb was carved in Renaissance Italy—in the 15 th or 16 th century; it's hard to be more precise—but religious history and clues left by the anonymous sculptor might shed some light on the subject. The white fleece is slightly worn, suggesting that this was a devotional object caressed by the faithful—an uncommon practice, even if the gentle creature had…