Monumental Andean Church with Bell Towers and Village Figures by Marino Maximo Limaco Soto (Peruvian) Master Quinua Ceramic
Marino Maximo Limaco Soto is a master ceramist from Quinua, Ayacucho, dedicated to preserving and renewing the region's historic clay-modeling tradition. Official cultural records identify his family workshop, Arte y Tradicion Marino, and document his continued work interpreting the customs and traditions of Quinua through ceramic art.
This monumental original sculpture presents an elaborate Andean church rising through two richly modeled bell towers, crowned by domes, sculptural finials, and a central cross. The architectural facade is animated by open arches, projecting balconies, twisted columns, bells, miniature birds, floral medallions, and finely painted ornamental borders in warm cream, terracotta, brown, black, and white tones.
At the center, a devotional scene occupies the upper sanctuary beneath an arched canopy, surrounded by small ceremonial figures and birds. Two traditionally dressed women sit beside the grand entrance below, bringing a human and communal dimension to the architecture. Every side reveals additional windows, passageways, applique decoration, and hand-modeled details, making the work especially compelling when viewed from multiple angles.
Entirely formed, assembled, pierced, modeled, and decorated by hand, the sculpture demonstrates exceptional technical ambition. Its impressive scale, vertical rhythm, narrative richness, and extraordinary concentration of detail transform the familiar image of an Andean church into a powerful ceramic monument celebrating faith, architecture, community memory, and the living artistic heritage of Quinua.
ARTIST
Marino Maximo Limaco Soto is a master ceramist from Quinua, Ayacucho, Peru. His original works draw upon the architecture, religious celebrations, clothing, family life, and communal traditions of the Andes. Working through his family workshop, he creates expressive figurative and architectural compositions distinguished by warm earth colors, detailed modeling, and an unmistakable narrative character.
PROVENANCE
Acquired directly from the artist in Peru for Gallery Arts & Auctions Co.
AUTHENTICITY
This work is an original creation by Marino Maximo Limaco Soto.
No signature is visible in the photograph provided. The sculpture may bear the artist's signature or identifying mark on its underside, reverse, or another area not shown. A Certificate of Authenticity issued by the artist may be provided upon request, subject to availability.
DIMENSIONS
Height: 29 in.
Length: 15 1/2 in.
Depth: 8 1/4 in.
COLLECTION NOTE
Carefully selected in Peru by Gallery Arts & Auctions Co. as a major example of contemporary Quinua ceramic sculpture. Distinguished by its monumental scale, architectural complexity, devotional imagery, and remarkable abundance of hand-modeled details, this is an exceptional centerpiece for an important collection of Latin American ceramic art.
Condition
Excellent overall condition. The complex architectural structure, towers, bells, figures, birds, openwork elements, and painted decoration appear well preserved and present beautifully. Minor tonal variations and subtle irregularities are inherent to the traditional handmade, assembled, and fired ceramic process and reinforce the unique character of this original work.
Estimate
Reserve
Time, Location
Auction House
Marino Maximo Limaco Soto is a master ceramist from Quinua, Ayacucho, dedicated to preserving and renewing the region's historic clay-modeling tradition. Official cultural records identify his family workshop, Arte y Tradicion Marino, and document his continued work interpreting the customs and traditions of Quinua through ceramic art.
This monumental original sculpture presents an elaborate Andean church rising through two richly modeled bell towers, crowned by domes, sculptural finials, and a central cross. The architectural facade is animated by open arches, projecting balconies, twisted columns, bells, miniature birds, floral medallions, and finely painted ornamental borders in warm cream, terracotta, brown, black, and white tones.
At the center, a devotional scene occupies the upper sanctuary beneath an arched canopy, surrounded by small ceremonial figures and birds. Two traditionally dressed women sit beside the grand entrance below, bringing a human and communal dimension to the architecture. Every side reveals additional windows, passageways, applique decoration, and hand-modeled details, making the work especially compelling when viewed from multiple angles.
Entirely formed, assembled, pierced, modeled, and decorated by hand, the sculpture demonstrates exceptional technical ambition. Its impressive scale, vertical rhythm, narrative richness, and extraordinary concentration of detail transform the familiar image of an Andean church into a powerful ceramic monument celebrating faith, architecture, community memory, and the living artistic heritage of Quinua.
ARTIST
Marino Maximo Limaco Soto is a master ceramist from Quinua, Ayacucho, Peru. His original works draw upon the architecture, religious celebrations, clothing, family life, and communal traditions of the Andes. Working through his family workshop, he creates expressive figurative and architectural compositions distinguished by warm earth colors, detailed modeling, and an unmistakable narrative character.
PROVENANCE
Acquired directly from the artist in Peru for Gallery Arts & Auctions Co.
AUTHENTICITY
This work is an original creation by Marino Maximo Limaco Soto.
No signature is visible in the photograph provided. The sculpture may bear the artist's signature or identifying mark on its underside, reverse, or another area not shown. A Certificate of Authenticity issued by the artist may be provided upon request, subject to availability.
DIMENSIONS
Height: 29 in.
Length: 15 1/2 in.
Depth: 8 1/4 in.
COLLECTION NOTE
Carefully selected in Peru by Gallery Arts & Auctions Co. as a major example of contemporary Quinua ceramic sculpture. Distinguished by its monumental scale, architectural complexity, devotional imagery, and remarkable abundance of hand-modeled details, this is an exceptional centerpiece for an important collection of Latin American ceramic art.
Condition
Excellent overall condition. The complex architectural structure, towers, bells, figures, birds, openwork elements, and painted decoration appear well preserved and present beautifully. Minor tonal variations and subtle irregularities are inherent to the traditional handmade, assembled, and fired ceramic process and reinforce the unique character of this original work.
Estimate
Reserve
Time, Location
Auction House
