Christ on the Donkey (Palmesel)

This sculpture depicts Christ riding a donkey (Palmesel). Christ has his hand in the classic hand of benediction (blessing)position. The Palmesel (palm donkey) is a type of a sculpture that, as early as the 12th century was processed through the streets of German towns. The possessions reenacted Christ's entry into Jerusalem and metaphorically transformed each town into the holy city. During the Reformation, palm donkeys were frequent targets of iconoclasm because they were perceived as idols