Description:

Mexico, ca. 19th Century CE. A Pair of antique Mexican retablos. Icons like these were placed above household altars to venerate the saints (retablo literally means "behind the altar"). The retablo became wildly popular in the 19th century due to the introduction of tin as an affordable medium. The first retablo depicts Santa Librata, a saint with a fascinating story. The daughter of a king, she was betrothed to a man she did not wish to marry, and so she took a vow of celibacy to prevent her impending marriage. The day after she took the vow, she sprouted a beard, and her suitor departed. Her angry father had her crucified, and that is how she is typically depicted. Here she is bound to a cross with ribbon, sans beard. 5" x 7" The second retablo depicts the Holy Family (Mary, Joseph, and the Christ Child) walking together, holding hands. A tender family scene! 6 1/2" x 4 1/2" Provenance: ex-Kelley collection, Colorado. All items in this auction are legal to buy/sell under U.S. statute covering cultural patrimony per United States Code 2600, CHAPTER 14 -- CONVENTION ON CULTURAL PROPERTY, and are guaranteed to be as described or your money back.A Certificate of Authenticity will accompany all winning bids.

  • Condition: Areas of loss, rust, and warping.

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May 21, 2014 9:00 AM MDT
Louisville, CO, US

Artemis Fine Arts

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Bid Increments
From: To: Increments:
$0 $299 $25
$300 $999 $50
$1,000 $1,999 $100
$2,000 $4,999 $250
$5,000 $9,999 $500
$10,000 $19,999 $1,000
$20,000 $49,999 $2,000
$50,000 $99,999 $5,000
$100,000 $199,999 $10,000
$200,000 + $25,000