Latin America, Mexico, ca. late 19th to early 20th century CE. A large hand-carved and hand-painted wood and gesso statue of Saint Anthony of Padua holding a book with the Christ Child seated on top; his other hand probably once held a lily stalk, representing his purity. Both saint and child have glass eyes and eyelashes that give them a somewhat lifelike quality to their faces. 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. Size: 12" L x 12" W x 40.5" H (30.5 cm x 30.5 cm x 102.9 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-Hillsborough, North Carolina, USA collection; ex-Keith Stanley collection, Professor Emeritus of Classical Studies at Duke University, North Carolina, USA

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#175304

Losses to halo and right hand of Saint figure. Loss to foot of Christ and foot reattached. Christ figure and halo are not fully attached. Chipping and abrasions to paint and stable hair line fissures to painted gesso layers. Staining to surfaces and discoloration. Overall good condition.