**Originally Listed At $1000**

New World, Spanish Colonial period or later, Mexico, ca. 19th century CE. A hand-carved wooden santo depicting St. Anthony of Padua. He has lifelike glass eyes and stands atop a colorful, multi-tiered stand. His robes are beautiful, green with gold flourishes, tied at the waist in the traditional Franciscan style with a rope with three knots representing poverty, chastity, and obedience. He holds a small figure - the Christ Child - seated on a book and wearing bright red robes. A recent black cloth cloak and silver crucifix on a chain have been added by worshippers. Size: 5.625" L x 5.75" W x 14.25" H (14.3 cm x 14.6 cm x 36.2 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: private Francis & Lilly Robicsek Collection, Charlotte, North Carolina, USA, acquired second half of the 20th century

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#120445

Fine craquelure. Some losses to paint and overpainting as shown. Wax in areas used for attaching accessories. Hand and baby have been reattached.