Western Europe, Spain or Spanish Colonies, ca. 18th to early 19th century CE. A carved elephant ivory head from a Santo figure of the Virgin Mary or another saint, with downcast eyes and delicate nose and pursed lips. Her eyes were probably once inlaid with glass and the small pegs along the brow were probably to attach a hair wig, halo, or crown. Santos played an important role in bringing the Catholic Church to the New World with the Spanish colonists. These religious figures were hand-carved and often furnished with crowns, jewels, and other accessories, usually funded by religious devotees, and were used as icons to explain the major figures - Mary, Christ, and the saints - to new, indigenous converts. Size: 2.2" L x 2" W x 4" H (5.6 cm x 5.1 cm x 10.2 cm); 7" H (17.8 cm) on included custom stand.

This is an ESA antique exempt piece of ivory and cannot be sold internationally or to anyone residing in the states of California, Hawaii, Illinois, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Oregon, and Washington. We guarantee that the piece is over 100 years old.

Provenance: private Southbend collection, Indiana, USA, inherited from a friend, acquired before 2010

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.

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#178631

Gouges and loss to left verso of head and neck as shown. Stable fissures and striations across surface. Missing eye inlays. Dark patina and remains of pigment to surface.