**Originally Listed At $500**

Latin America, Mexico, Spanish Colonial period, ca. 19th century CE. A beautiful pair of finely-painted gauge tin retablos featuring images of the Holy Family and Saint Anthony of Padua. The Sacred Family (La Sagrada Familia) is depicted with Jesus as a young boy walking between his parents who sweetly gaze upon him. Mary is dressed in her traditional red gown with blue mantle; the Child is dressed in white robes; Joseph dons his colors of green and yellow, and is carrying a blossoming staff. The Parents grasp the Child's arms on either side, his pose subtly foreshadowing the Crucifixion. A delicate dove in the azure skies hovers directly above the Child and radiates light toward Him, symbolizing the Holy Sprit. Similarly, the other retablo also depicts the Christ child, though here held by Saint Anthony of Padua. The tradition of this image stems from the story of Count Tiso of Padua, who witnessed St. Anthony communing with Jesus in child form while praying in his home. Size of larger (Holy Family): 10" W x 14" H (25.4 cm x 35.6 cm)

Here, Anthony is shown in the blue robes that were adopted by Spanish Franciscans of the time as a symbol of their devotion to the Virgin Mother. Anthony cradles the Christ Child, who holds a stalk of white lilies in one hand and a wooden cross in the other. A pair of fine paintings boasting balanced compositions, vivid colors, and endearing yet iconographically rich depictions of traditional religious subject matter.

Provenance: private Superior, Colorado, USA collection

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.

A Certificate of Authenticity will accompany all winning bids.

We ship worldwide to most countries and handle all shipping in-house for your convenience.

#181725

Both have some light bending with small losses near corners. Areas of chipping and losses to pigment, as well as some discoloration to St. Anthony retablo. Otherwise, both are mostly intact with clear imagery and nice colors. Suspension holes at top center of both for easy display.