New World, Spanish Colonial, Mexico, ca. 19th century CE. A truly striking carved and painted wood depiction of the Virgin Mary clothed in red and gold. Her face is sensitive, with wide-set, painted eyes and a serene expression. She stands atop a multi-tiered pedestal with four projections that look like the top of shepherds' crooks or bishops' croziers. In one hand, she holds silver flowers, and she has a large repousse tin halo. Worshippers have draped two long chains and a beaded bracelet around her body and wrist. Size: 10" L x 11.5" W x 26" H (25.4 cm x 29.2 cm x 66 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-Francis & Lilly Robicsek collection, Charlotte, North Carolina, USA

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#120715

Fine craquelure on the face. Some losses to paint and overpainting as shown. Wax in areas used for attaching accessories. The base is cracked beneath her feet but the figure is stable.