New World, Spanish Colonial, Mexico, ca. 19th century CE. A tall and expressive wooden santo figure of Mary. She stands robed in dark red, draped with a deep blue, gold-trimmed and cream-lined cloak. Her hands are extended upwards, her face tilted to the sky. She wears a large, ornate tin crown and stands atop a multi-tiered, dark pedestal. Worshippers have placed a set of rosary beads and a crucifix on a chain around her hand and neck. Size: 8" L x 7.75" W x 22.25" H (20.3 cm x 19.7 cm x 56.5 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-Francis & Lilly Robicsek collection, Charlotte, North Carolina, USA
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#120470
Condition
Beautiful craquelure on face and around the veil framing her face. Small losses to paint as shown with dark patina, especially on bottom of her robes and pedestal. Her hands have been replaced. Small areas of overpainting. Tin crown has patina.