Mexican Colonial
Mexico, New Spain
18th century
Carved wood with polychrome
Height 20 inches
Provenance: Private collection of Larry Frank, Taos, New Mexico
This carved wood figure represents a standing saint in a hooded monastic habit, the robe belted at the waist and falling in heavy vertical folds to the base. The head is carved with short hair and a tonsured crown and tilts slightly downward, retaining traces of flesh toned polychrome on the face above the dark patinated finish of the robe. Both arms are bent forward from the elbows, and the hands are lost, so no attribute survives to identify a specific saint.
The polychrome shows extensive loss across the robe, with bare wood exposed at the folds, edges, and hem, and age cracking through the surface. The dark surface and worn polychrome are consistent with a provincial devotional carving of considerable age. The figure is offered in its present condition as shown.
Larry Frank was a collector and scholar of Southwestern and Spanish Colonial art based in Taos, New Mexico. He was the co-author of Indian Silver Jewelry of the Southwest, 1868 to 1930, published in 1978, and New Kingdom of the Saints: Religious Art of New Mexico, 1780 to 1907, published in 1992, both standard references in their fields.
We ship free anywhere in the world, fully insured, packed by hand.
Mexican Colonial
Mexico, New Spain
18th century
Carved wood with polychrome
Height 20 inches
Provenance: Private collection of Larry Frank, Taos, New Mexico
This carved wood figure represents a standing saint in a hooded monastic habit, the robe belted at the waist and falling in heavy vertical folds to the base. The head is carved with short hair and a tonsured crown and tilts slightly downward, retaining traces of flesh toned polychrome on the face above the dark patinated finish of the robe. Both arms are bent forward from the elbows, and the hands are lost, so no attribute survives to identify a specific saint.
The polychrome shows extensive loss across the robe, with bare wood exposed at the folds, edges, and hem, and age cracking through the surface. The dark surface and worn polychrome are consistent with a provincial devotional carving of considerable age. The figure is offered in its present condition as shown.
Larry Frank was a collector and scholar of Southwestern and Spanish Colonial art based in Taos, New Mexico. He was the co-author of Indian Silver Jewelry of the Southwest, 1868 to 1930, published in 1978, and New Kingdom of the Saints: Religious Art of New Mexico, 1780 to 1907, published in 1992, both standard references in their fields.
We ship free anywhere in the world, fully insured, packed by hand.
