New World, Spanish Colonial period, Mexico, ca. 19th century CE. A standing wood santo depicting St. Rita of Cascia, with repaired hands from a santo of St. Anthony of Padua. St. Rita is dressed in her nun's robes and has stigmata on her forehead. Rita of Cascia (1381 to 1457) was a widow and Augustinian nun canonized in 1900. Her marriage was abusive, but she maintained her Christian faith throughout and became a nun shortly after her husband's death. She is the patroness of those suffering from domestic violence. Her hands - an old repair - bear the attributes of St. Anthony, a book with the Christ Child seated atop it and a lily stalk. With a 20th C. rosary around her neck. An interesting pastiche of two of the most popular saints! Size: 4.5" L x 4.5" W x 11.25" H (11.4 cm x 11.4 cm x 28.6 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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#120426
Condition
Both hands are of similar age but were made for a different santo, as explained above. Fine craquelure. Some losses to paint and overpainting as shown. Wax in areas used for attaching accessories.