These infant of Prague statues were sourced from the famous shrine in Prague where the original miraculous statue is housed. They are crafted from Bohemian Porcelain, with traditional designs below the surface of the glaze. Features and details such as lace are depicted with gold painted accents. The infant’s right hand is raised in blessing, and its left holds the imperial globe.

The robe colors are of great significance, and follow the colors of the priests’ robes at the altar. White is for purity and holiness and celebrates Christmas and Easter; Red is for blood and fire and celebrates the Holy Week and feasts of the Holy Cross; Purple is the color of penance and represents Lent and Advent; Green is the color of life and ordinary times and is considered the common color; Blue is for peace and the Feast of Our Lady; Pink is the color of muted joy and is used for the 3rd Sunday Advent and the 4th Sunday in Lent.

The original Infant of Prague statue stands in the Church of Our Lady of Victory in Prague. It is carved from wood, and has features molded from wax. It hails from Spain, though it’s specific origins are mysterious, but it is believed to have been inspired by similar statues popular in Spain in 1300's. Most of these featured a baby Jesus with bird to represent the Holy Spirit or soul.

When the House of Habsburg began ruling Bohemia in 1526, they created close ties with Spain. The first appearance of the Infant Jesus statue was when Maria Maximilliana Manriquez de Laray Mendoza traveled to Bohemia from Spain to marry Czech nobleman, Vratislav of Pernstyn. Maria had been given the statue by her mother as a wedding present. When Maria’s own daughter, Polyxena of Lobkowicz, was to be wed, Maria gave it as her wedding present. In 1628, Polyxena donated the statue to the Discalced Carmelite friars telling them, as long as they honored the statue, they will never be poor. Devotions were given twice a day by novices who had taken vows of poverty. When Emperor Ferdinand ll of the House Habsburg heard of the friar’s piousness and poverty, he sent them a monthly stipend.

As long as the statue was honored, it would continue to bless all who honored it, and miracles and healing would occur. Nobles and royalty, to show their gratitude gifted the statue with fine robes, lace, fur cloaks, and jewels. One nobleman gifted the rings that sit on the Infant’s fingers after his daughter was healed.

When the Carmelites had to flee Bohemia for Munich during the thirty Years War, the church was sacked and the infant thrown on a garbage heap behind the alter, its arms broken off and gone. Then, when the fathers returned 1637 they found it and placed it back inside the church. It is said that one of them heard a voice while praying "Have pity on me, and I will have pity on you. Give me back my hands, and I will give you peace. The more you honor me, the more I will bless you." The father had the hands and arms restored and since then, is it claimed the statue has blessed Prague.

On view at the Museum of the Infant of Prague are over 100 different robes donated by Czech and Spanish royalty among them Empress Maria Theresa. It is said copies of the statue exist all over the world, but none can replicate the expression on the original.

The statuette stands 3.15" high.