DEVOTIONAL
"By now I was rapidly gaining a more catholic understanding of the word
"art". I saw "art" as widely varying expressions of individuals -
individuals from all parts of the world and from all ages, with strong
feelings and great creative capacities to express those feelings. No longer
was my appreciation confined to classical forms of art as taught in our
schools and shown in our great universities."
- Nelson Rockefeller, the collector -
Click on thumbnail to view a
full-size image.
Clay Angel Base
Mexico, specifics unknown
ca. 1920-30's
Height: 10"
Diameter: 12"
Mold-made, hand-formed, 3-dimensional clay; beautifully crackled face on the angels; this was likely once a base for either a cross or image of the Virgin; a peculiar & uncommon piece, that would be particularly appealing to a collector of unusual ceramic forms.
$350
Framed Image of Christ
Purchased in Valencia, Spain
ca. 1920-40's
Height: 11"
Width: 9 1/2"
Gold-gilded framed devotional; silk background, with embossed gold paper, paper angels and a beautiful image of Christ.
$45
"Nuestra Senora de Guadalupe" Oil Painting
Mexico, collected in Zacatecas area
19th Century or earlier
Height: approx. 18"
Width: approx. 14"
A well-rendered oil painting on canvas; some damage and follow-up restoration; in December 1531, the Virgin appeared to an Indian neophyte, Juan Diego; her skin is dark and Indian in appearance, with hands together in a prayerful attitude and lowered eyes; her miraculous appearance was an important factor in the conversion of the Indians of Mexico and she is much-loved.
$400
Santo of the Virgin
Guatemala, specifics unknown
Mid 20th Century
Height: 12 1/2"
Primitive, hand-carved wood Santo; brightly painted, with glass eyes & a silver-colored tin "corona" (crown); a sweet, unassuming piece.
$150
Retablo of St. Peter
Highland Bolivia
ca. Mid 20th Century
Height: 7 1/2"
Width: 3 3/4"
A traditional devotional of the Bolivian highlands; hand-painted wood "nicho" (box), with mold-made gesso figure of St. Peter, 3 miniature silver-painted keys "to Heaven's gate", cloth flowers; a colorful & naive piece.
$165
"San Antonio de Padua" Retablo
Highland areas of Bolivia
ca. Mid 20th Century -
Height: 4 1/4"
Width: 3" with doors closed, 6" with doors open - Depth: 2"
The "Nicho" itself is wood, the San Antonio image from cast plaster, on a wood base; painted; paper & cloth flowers surround the Saint, along with creatures at his feet; he is often invoked to find lost property & by barren or pregnant women; a winsome piece.
$110
Joseph & Mary "Creche" Figures
Mexico, probably Tlaquepaque or Puebla area
ca. Late 20th Century
Heights: 8 1/2"
Christmas nativity scene figures of Joseph & Mary; mold-made & hand-formed clay; somewhat brightly painted.
Very good condition.
Pair $95
"St. John The Baptist" Retablo
Peru
ca. 1920-50's
Height: approx 9"
Mold-made, hand-formed, painted; housed in a painted wood box, with doors that open and close, on simple wire hinging; St. John carries a slender shepherd staff, and holds the 'sacrificial lamb of Christ in his left arm; this piece is primitive and charming.
$225
Oil Painting of "El Alma de Maria"
Mexico, specifics unknown, collected near Puebla
19th Century or earlier
Height: approx. 13"
Width: approx. 10"
Also referred to as "Nuestra Senora de la Encarnacion", a tender, sensitive rendering of the announcement of the Incarnation, we see a young Mary wearing a crown of roses, her hands crossed over the heart, pressing the dove towards her; oil painting on canvas; primitive wood frame, having been hung by a nail, passing through the hole just visible at the top of the canvas.
Good condition.
$325
Devotional "Shadow Box"
Collected in Puebla, Mexico
ca: Early 20th Century, perhaps 19th Century
Length: approx. 9"
Width: approx. 7"
Depth: approx 2 1/2"
This is an enchanting & delightful three-dimensional, covered-cardboard box; it contains pieces of coral, foil, paper, plastic, paper images lovingly applied; this is tender and sweet; sorry that the image is not clearer!
$225
Three Tin Devotionals
ca. Mid 20th Century
Widespread throughout Mexico
Largest is 5 1/4" High
Reverse painting on the glass, to frame the paper image behind; old handprints, in black and white; sometimes hand-colored; punched-tin frames; these small 'reliquaries' might have been purchased outside the particular church, the Santo of which resides within, sold to to worshippers passing in and out, and much- treasured by them; very sweet!
Left: $21
Middle: $28
Right: $18
"Tres Potencias"
Collected in Paris, France
ca. mid-20th Century
Length: 3 1/2"
Width: 2 1/2"
Hand-carved wood; gold painted; a form of "nimbus" or halo for a holy image.
$42 for Three
Framed Image of Virgin
Collected in Paris, France
ca. 19th Century
Height: 6 1/2"
Width: 3 1/2"
A cast, bas-relief composit, set in an intricately carved wood oval frame, with cross at the top; European.
$125
| Ceramics | Wood Objects |
Crosses | Oddities | Textiles | Devotional | Silver | Home | |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
Click on the image to enter