St. Mary Magdalene meditates on the crucifix in this painted wooden sculpture that is part of The Sacred Made Real exhibit in 2010 at the National Galley of Art in Washington.

The statue, which Christie's says depicts Mary Magdalene in "a state of ecstasy," was bought by its current owners for $7,540 (£5,200) at a garden statuary auction in Sussex, England, 20 years ago.

A rediscovered Antonio Canova marble sculpture of Mary Magdalene is seen fetching up to $10 million when it heads to auction in July. Described by auction house Christie’s as the Italian ...