Apollonia’s story is unique in the tortuous extraction of teeth during her persecution. Most artistic representations of her feature her with pincers, like the ones lying in the foreground, or with a golden tooth on a necklace. Her posture is one of humility and
acceptance, showing her courage and strength in the face of unimaginable pain. A scribe stands to the side of the action, recording the torture (and perhaps her brave response). This could be the artist’s way of historically validating the event. The person restraining her arms behind her is gazing heavenward with a look of bewilderment.