Central America, Guatemala, ca. late 19th to early 20th century CE. A hand-carved and painted depiction of the Cristo Negro (Black Christ) on the cross, made from wood with a tin crown framing his head. Christ is characteristically depicted in the crucified pose, with head cocked toward the right, a loin cloth around his waist and hips, and perforations indicative of stigmata through extended hands and feet and one laceration at chest. Size: 7" W x 11.25" H (17.8 cm x 28.6 cm)

The worship of Cristo Negro has its origins in a town called Esquipulas, Guatemala in 1594 CE when an image was created by the Portuguese sculptor Quirio Cantano upon the request of the Guatemalan bishop. The darker complexion chosen by the early clergy was intentional, as it was thought that the indigenous population would then identify with the sufferings and sacrifice of Christ. As members of the lowest class of their society in their own land, they embraced the Cristo Negro and identified with his realistic agony and martyrdom.

Provenance: ex-private Bishop Family Trust collection, the Trust of the late Bill Bishop, a noted antiquarian with shops in Scottsdale, Arizona and Allenspark, Colorado, USA, acquired before 2010

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#173479

Repaired. Christ reattached to arms and right hand reattached to cross. Chips to base and Christ's cloth. Fading and losses to pigments. Staining and discoloration throughout. Overall good condition.