Carved wooden santos figure of St. Isadore, the farmer. The height is 11.5″. Central America.

Condition: Nice patina on this very old piece. There is some scant evidence that it was originally painted. The farmer’s garment seems to have been red at one time. The only significant paint or coloring that remains is black, on the hair. Even that is largely gone. Half right arm missing left hand missing. Some age crazing to wood but all is solid. Eyes are replacements. There is a hole in the head where a radiance once sat.

Comments: St. Isadore was a popular subject for veneration in rural areas. Here he is wearing a simple farmer’s garb. He is intent and alert. The patina is evocative and attests to its ancient age. Whatever the culture, there can be no more important art than that used as an aid for communicating with the divine.

Whatever the culture, there can be no more important art than that used as an aid for communicating with the divine. I have always found devotional artifacts fascinating to collect; there is no better way to connect with a past culture than through the objects that were important to it. Collecting santos figures is particularly gratifying. The subject, the style and the methods of production combine to tell the tale of what the individuals in that culture valued.

____________

I have been collecting artifacts and religious objects for many years, specializing in Asian and European vintage carvings. Don’t hesitate to ask about other stock that I might have that is not listed here.

Website: http://sirraffles.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SirRafflesArt