Help us help those in need this holiday season! Artemis Gallery is donating 100% of the Buyer’s Premium from all lots sold in this auction to COMMUNITY FOOD SHARE. Each $1.00 donated = 3 meals!

Latin America, Mexico, ca. late 19th century CE. A finely painted pair of retablos on heavy gauge tin representing the earthly parents of Jesus: one of St. Joseph holding the Christ child and the other of the Virgin Mary as Our Lady of Sorrows. The first depicts a crowned St. Joseph (San Jose) standing in flowing vestments of blue, maroon, and yellow with a sizeable openwork diadem, as he tenderly cradles the infant Jesu in his left arm and holds a staff of pink lilies in his right arm. Adorned with coral-hued draperies, the Christ Child grasps a petite wooden Cross - an allusion to his fate and representation of his Christian dominion - in his left hand as he affectionately rests his head on the left cheek of his earthly father. Alternatively, he second stunning retablo depicts the Virgin Mary as Our Lady of Sorrows - Mater Dolorosa in Latin. Wearing a traditional blue veil over a mauve-hued robe, the Blessed Virgin is shown experiencing one of the 7 Great Sorrows: the crucifixion of the Christ. Size of largest (Our Lady of Sorrows): 10" W x 14" H (25.4 cm x 35.6 cm)

She holds her hands together in prayer as she tilts her head to her right, contemplating Christ's crucifixion with a serene gaze surrounded by radiating light that represents a halo. Behind the Virgin is a column with the visage of Christ topped by a rooster. This iconography is derived from Early Christian art in which the rooster is frequently associated with St. Peter in the scene in which Christ announces that his disciple will deny him three times before the cock crows. As is customary for Mater Dolorosa imagery, a sword pierces the Virgin Mary's heart, a reference to Luke 2:35: "And Simeon blessed them and said to Mary His mother, 'Behold, this Child is appointed for the fall and rise of many in Israel, and for a sign to be opposed - and a sword will pierce even your own soul - to the end that thoughts from many hearts may be revealed.'"

The cult of Joseph originated during the time of Luther when the Catholic Church was seeking out new heroes to meet the needs of the Counter Reformation. Prior to this time, Joseph was somewhat ignored. The Carmelite Order, under the direction of Saint Theresa, rejuvenated the image of Saint Joseph. Instead of being portrayed as an elderly man who watched over Mary, he grew to be depicted as a virile man in the prime of his life, full of youth and strength, yet portrayed as a gentle man of tenderness as we see in this example.

Provenance: ex-Dr. David Harner collection, Arkansas, USA, acquired 1950s to 1960s

All items legal to buy/sell under U.S. Statute covering cultural patrimony Code 2600, CHAPTER 14, and are guaranteed to be as described or your money back.

A Certificate of Authenticity will accompany all winning bids.

PLEASE NOTE: Due to recent increases of shipments being seized by Australian & German customs (even for items with pre-UNESCO provenance), we will no longer ship most antiquities and ancient Chinese art to Australia & Germany. For categories of items that are acceptable to ship to Australia or Germany, please contact us directly or work with your local customs brokerage firm.

Display stands not described as included/custom in the item description are for photography purposes only and will not be included with the item upon shipping.

#161370

Both have small areas of loss in corners, as well as warping and oxidation, as is typical with antique tin. Otherwise, both are excellent with nice remains of pigments.