Antique Spanish Colonial Carved Santo Altar Figure

Description

An exceptional example of Spanish Colonial style, born in Mexico in the 19th century, this large hand carved and painted … more An exceptional example of Spanish Colonial style, born in Mexico in the 19th century, this large hand carved and painted santo religious folk art altar figure depicting "Nuestra Señora del Buen Suceso" with Madonna and Child features richly sculpted and finely detailed gesso over wood with beautiful bold polychrome paint decoration, partial gilt, crowned Virgin Mary with long wavy hair, holding Christ child, both with inset glass eyes, standing on a crescent moon.

Having beautiful patina over the whole, highly desirable organically distressed paint finish, worn, faded. elegantly aged, warm and rustic charm, having some losses to carving including hands, only adding to the overall antique character and historic depth aquired from over 130 years.

Provenance:
A fine Santa Fe, New Mexico estate collection

Dimensions: (approx)
16.75" High, 7" Wide, 3.5" Deep,
3lbs

Brief History:
Our Lady of Good Success appeared on several occasions in the early 17th century to Mother Mariana de Jesus Torres in Quito, Ecuador. This title is associated with Marian images located in the Spanish cities of Granada and Zaragoza, the island of La Gomera, and the region of Catalonia. The seaside location of many of these images suggests that Spanish sailors would invoke Mary under this title specifically to petition for safe voyages.

Fully approved by the Church, this Marian apparition contains an immensely important and hopeful message for our troubled times. Great power and hope can be found through devotion to Our Lady of Good Success.

Our Lady of the Good Event is the English translation of the Spanish language Catholic Marian title Nuestra Señora del Buen Suceso, often mistranslated as Our Lady of Good Success due to the superficial similarity between the Spanish word "suceso" (meaning "event") and the English false friend "success."

Properly speaking, the phrase "Good Event" refers to the Purification of Mary and the Presentation of Jesus less