Western Europe, Spain or Spanish Colonial Period, ca. 18th to early 19th century CE. A hand-carved Santo head of a woman made from elephant ivory with glass eyes and human hair. The piece is made in 3 parts: the cranium with a hollow interior cavity, the sliced "skull cap lid," and the wig- the interior was carved out in order to insert the glass eyes. She has a gentle and highly naturalistic expression; lips and nostrils highlighted by a red pigment, and her cheeks have a faint blush. This head may have once been attached to a wood and textile body of a Santo representing the Virgin Mary or another saint. Size: 2.5" L x 2.125" W x 3.25" H (6.4 cm x 5.4 cm x 8.3 cm)

This is an ESA antique exempt piece of ivory and cannot be sold internationally or to anyone residing in the states of California, Hawaii, Illinois, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Oregon, and Washington. We guarantee that the piece was made prior to 1972.

Provenance: private Jacksonville, Florida, USA collection; ex-Nordby private collection, acquired in the USA in the 1960s

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.

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#172325

Head repaired and chip to right ear, stable fissures. Hair / skull cap are loose and not attached to rest of skull. Natural black striations and glass eyes are intact. Hair could be gently rearranged and reattached to skull.