New World, Mexico, ca. 20th century CE. A fun hand-carved wooden figure, a devil with glowing red eyes and a Tom Selleck-style mustache. He sits with his head turned to one side, his face expressive, as if he is startled by what he's seeing. Small wings, painted a greenish-brown, project from his back. He probably once had horns and a tail; with one hand raised, he may also have once held a pitchfork. Despite this figure's demonic characteristics, the artist seems to have gone for whimsical rather than frightening. Size: 11" L x 8.5" W x 14" H (27.9 cm x 21.6 cm x 35.6 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: private Francis & Lilly Robicsek Collection, Charlotte, North Carolina, USA

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#120462

Repaired in multiple places. Horns and tail are lost. Some losses to paint and overpainting as shown. Wax in areas used for attaching accessories.