19th C. New Mexican Wood Santo of Mary w/ Glass Eyes

North America, New Mexico, 19th century CE. A hand-carved and hand-painted wooden Santo depicting the Virgin Mary dressed in voluminous red and blue robes, the folds of which are skillfully delineated. The Madonna stands with her hands pressed together in prayer, her visage facing forward with her glass inlay eyes focused in a sacred state, upon a separately carved circular wooden stand (skillfully attached via tiny wooden dowels). Size: 18.125" H (46 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 Glorieta, New Mexico, USA collection

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#149445
Condition Report: Normal age wear with minor scuffs and age cracks here and there. Glass eye inlays are intact. Wood has developed a lustrous patina. Old collection label on underside of base.