Spanish Colonial, Mexico, ca. 19th century CE. A hand-painted and gilded Mano Poderosa or Los Cinco Personas retablo depicting five holy figures perched at the tips of a detached hand who represent the Holy Family: Jesus (Christ Emmanuel), Maria (Mary), Jose (Joseph), and Mary's parents, Ana (Anne) and Joaquin (Joachim) - on heavy gauge tin and set on a handmade wooden mount. The upward pointing almighty hand with the center wound and dripping blood represents the stigmata of Christ and the Crucifixion as well as the life of Saint Francis. In most examples, a chalice catching Christ's blood with seven lambs (a holy number of Catholicism representing the seven sacraments and seven deadly sins) drinking from the chalice (a reference to the Book of Revelations) is included. This piece is more unusual in that it focuses on the almighty hand and the Holy Family perched atop - though there is a hint of the chalice's rim with celestial clouds rising from it. The extrapolated meaning of this devotional image is one of protection and benediction. This is a very finely painted example! Size: 14.25" L x 10.25" W (36.2 cm x 26 cm)

Provenance: private California, USA collection

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#134972

Normal surface wear with areas of oxidation and slight pigment losses commensurate with age, but the imagery is still quite vivid.