**Originally Listed At $250**

New World, Spanish Colonial, probably Mexico, ca. 19th century CE. Carved from wood and adorned with paint, gold leaf, and gesso on linen on wood, a santo depicting the Christ Child. A tender portrayal of Christ Emmanuel with a smooth face, wavy coiffure, gentle facial features, and a gilded loin cloth - his youth symbolizing that of the sacrificial lamb. Custom stand. Size: 9.5" H (24.1 cm); 12.375" H (31.4 cm) on included custom stand.

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 Southern Florida, USA collection

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#124763

Losses to right arm, left foot, fingers of left hand, top of head, and chin. Left arm and left foot reattached. Visible perforations and remains of dowels from attachments and/or old repairs. Expected surface wear and losses as shown.