New World, Mexico, Spanish Colonial style, ca. 19th century CE. A fascinating, hand-carved wooden santo figure of a rarely-depicted saint. Here seated upon a throne, wearing a conical, ziggurat-like crown, this is St. Constantine the Great, the Emperor who converted Rome to Christianity, presided over the Council of Nicaea, and founded the city of Constantinople. He is depicted as an older man with a long beard, wearing gold, white, and red robes, with one arm raised in blessing. He holds in his other hand the globus cruciger, a symbol of earthly dominion. The figure can be removed from the throne. At the base of the throne is a carved face, perhaps meant to represent the Emperor when he was younger. Size: 7" L x 8" W x 23" H (17.8 cm x 20.3 cm x 58.4 cm)
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
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#120688
Condition
Craquelure and small areas of loss to the paint as shown. Traces of wax to stabilize accessories. Some areas of overpainting.