**Originally Listed At $1000**

New World, Spanish Colonial, Mexico, ca. 19th century CE. A charming, hand-carved wooden santo with a gentle facial expression, in the form of St. Anthony of Padua. In one hand, he holds a book with the Christ Child seated upon it; in the other he holds a lily stalk, representing his purity. He stands atop a tall, tiered wooden pedestal Size: 4" L x 5" W x 13.5" H (10.2 cm x 12.7 cm x 34.3 cm)

Anthony is dressed as the traditional Franciscan monk, in a pale brown cassock. He also has a gold-painted tin halo. His face is sensitively rendered, with brown glass eyes.

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.

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, NC

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.

#120702

Fine craquelure, especially on the face. Some losses to paint and overpainting as shown, but generally in nice condition. Wax in areas used for attaching accessories.