Lot 78
New World, Spanish Colonial, Mexico, ca. 19th century CE. A striking and beautifully painted and carved wood depiction of St. Elizabeth of Hungary, a rare subject for a santo. She stands atop a very small pedestal, wearing robes of cream and gold with pink interiors. In her hands is a basket filled with food. She has curly brown hair and a sweet, downcast face, with a glass blue eyes and a gentle smile. Size: 3.5" L x 5.5" W x 12.25" H (8.9 cm x 14 cm x 31.1 cm)
A princess of Hungary, Elizabeth, after being widowed at twenty, used her dowry to build a hospital where she herself worked to serve the sick. She died at age twenty four and was quickly canonized; she is renowned for her charity. As a result, she is often portrayed, as she is here, holding a basket of food.
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
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#120422
- Condition: Nice craquelure and light patina, with slight loss to paint over all as shown. Stabilizing clear lacquer has been applied to her face, hand, and top part of basket.
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