A Spanish carved, parcel-gilt and polychrome decorated figure of Saint John the Baptist holding a lamb Late 17th / early 18th century The standing figure with his left leg bent, a lamb resting on his thigh on a naturalistic ground with a tree stump to the base, 30cm wide, 23.5cm deep, 72cm high (11 1/2in wide, 9in deep, 28in high) Footnotes: Provenance Bonhams, London, Period Design, 7 February 2012, lot 318 The style of this carved wood figure owes much to the Spanish master Francisco Salzillo. Salzillo's figure of Joseph, circa 1760 (now in the Victoria and Albert Museum, Inv. no. A.2-1956) has a similar pose, rather wild, curly hair, life-like pinkish skin tones, and is raised on a naturalistic integral base. The naturalism of these figures is typical of 17th and 18th century Spanish sculpture and was intended to arouse piety and emotion in the viewer. Related Literature M. Trusted, Spanish Sculpture, Victoria and Albert Museum, London, 1996, pp. 120-121. For further information on this lot please visit Bonhams.com For further information about this lot please visit the lot listing