New World, Spanish Colonial, Mexico, ca. 19th century CE. An imaginative rendering of St. Michael the Archangel standing atop a fierce demon, hand-carved from wood. The figure is on a multi-tiered pedestal. He holds a tin shield with a stamped pattern around its edge; in the other hand he holds a cut tin flaming sword. Size: 6" L x 5.75" W x 14" H (15.2 cm x 14.6 cm x 35.6 cm)

St. Michael has wonderful white, highly-detailed wings and a kind face with brown glass eyes. His calm expression belies his stance stop the spitting demon, whose eyes pop and tongue extends, head twisted around backwards to hiss at St. Michael. This archangel leads God's armies against Satan in the Book of Revelation, and it is he who defeats Satan during the war in heaven. This is a common depiction of the angel in the santo tradition.

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. Likewise, they served as a connection to the Old World for Spanish colonists far from home. They became a folk art tradition in the Spanish New World, from modern day Guatemala to as far north as New Mexico and Colorado. Many of them were lovingly cared for over the years, with repairs and paint added as they aged, and played an active part for a long time in the religious life of their communities.



Provenance: Ex-Francis & Lilly Robicsek Collection, Charlotte, NC

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#120703

Lustrous patina, especially on the wings. Areas of paint loss as shown. Both hands have small losses/have been repaired. The figure is not fully attached to the base. Traces of wax to stabilize accessories.