...Santo (from the Spanish word meaning "saint") is a traditional New Mexican genre of religious sculpture. The word "santo" is also used to refer to individual works in this genre. Santos are carvings, either in wood or ivory, that depict saints, angels, or other religious figures.....-Wikipedia
I just got my first Santos... it came with an elaborate hand made outfit that was to make it look like Mary...{Not as beautiful as the one below} I actually took its clothes off! I love how the wood looks...
I don't know what it is about these statues..figurines... that I like.. At first I thought it was kinda creepy, collecting these relics, but as I thought about what they stand for..the more I love them. How about you?
{found on Historia Antiques} This beautiful one's gowns are real silk and it has glass eyes...with joints that articulate..she even has toes!
{ found this one one Santos Connection } This one is of Saint Aloysius Gonzaga, 19th century Italy...."This is a rare depiction of Saint Aloysius Gonzaga. I personally cannot identify this saint nor does the previous owner who inherited it from his grandfather. His grandfather collected many santos from Europe. I identified him through research and found out that it is probably Italian. Aloysius died at a young age of 23 after serving in the plague of Milan in 1587. He vowed perpetual virginity throughout his life.
Dark, blotchy and shiny patina and excellent paint retention except for minor chips as shown on the picture. He has glass eyes which is very unique for this type of carving." -the site says...
Fascinating!
Well..just wanted to share some of my new fascinations! Hope you had a lovely weekend!
XO
Hey Christine, I am glad you did a post on Santos. I have been wondering a lot about them after seeing them so much lately. I found a small ivory carving this past weekend (when i got the trellis piece) but not knowing anything about them I let it go....my bad. :) Hope all is well at your house. Have to go back to to dr. today. Tooth problems are not healing right. ugh! By the way....the nurse that worked along with the surgeon on me last week went gaga over my birdnest necklace. I told her it was a very exclusive piece. :)~ Lynn
Posted by: Lynn@thevintagenest | February 11, 2009 at 07:51 AM