19th C. Mexican Wood Santo - St. Anthony of Padua

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Ancient | Ethnographic | Fine Art

By Artemis Gallery

Jul 5, 2018

Set Reminder 2018-07-05 10:00:00 2018-07-05 10:00:00 America/New_York Bidsquare Bidsquare : Ancient | Ethnographic | Fine Art https://www.bidsquare.com/auctions/artemis-gallery/ancient-ethnographic-fine-art-3306
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• Lot Description
  New World, Mexico, Spanish Colonial, ca. 19th century CE. An interesting, hand-carved figure of Saint Anthony of Padua, colorfully painted and depicted holding a book in one hand. His other hand is raised in blessing. His face is simple, less naturalistic than many santos, with a seemingly-surprised expression. His robes and tonsure make the viewer aware that he is a Franciscan. He wears a repousse tin halo. Modern worshippers have placed two necklaces, including one with a flaming heart on it, around his neck. Size: 6.5" L x 6.25" W x 20" H (16.5 cm x 15.9 cm x 50.8 cm)
  
  St. Anthony was a Portuguese Franciscan priest and friar who died in Padua, Italy. Despite being born into a wealthy family, he was known for his intense devotion to the poor and sick, and holds the distinction of being canonized most quickly of all the saints. He is also known as the patron saint of lost things - objects, people, and souls. In art, he is often depicted with a book and the infant Jesus, based on a commonly told story of him reading a book and seeing the Christ Child's image in it.
  
  Santos played an important role in bringing the Catholic Church to the New World with the Spanish colonists. These religious figures were hand-carved and often furnished with crowns, jewels, and other accessories, usually funded by religious devotees, and were used as icons to explain the major figures - Mary, Christ, and the saints - to new, indigenous converts. Likewise, they served as a connection to the Old World for Spanish colonists far from home. They became a folk art tradition in the Spanish New World, from modern day Guatemala to as far north as New Mexico and Colorado. Many of them were lovingly cared for over the years, with repairs and paint added as they aged, and played an active part for a long time in the religious life of their communities.
  
  Provenance: ex private Francis & Lilly Robicsek Collection, Charlotte, North Carolina, USA
  
  All items legal to buy/sell under U.S. Statute covering cultural patrimony Code 2600, CHAPTER 14, and are guaranteed to be as described or your money back.
  
  A Certificate of Authenticity will accompany all winning bids.
  
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  #120690

  Condition

  Extensive craquelure, especially on the face, and small areas of loss to the paint as shown. Crown has slight bending and metal patina. Traces of wax to stabilize accessories. Some areas of overpainting.
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