19th C Spanish Wood Mannequin Madonna Virgin Mary Santo Sculpture Cage Doll
Item History & Price
| Reference Number: Avaluer:44114479 | Style: Baroque |
| Original/Reproduction: Original | Age: 1800-1849 |
| Country/Region of Origin: Spain | Material: Wood |
Very Attractive Mid 19th Century Spanish Madonna
Period: Circa 1850
Total height: 72.5 cm (28.54 inches). Have a look at the 4th picture where she's next to a wine bottle for a sense of proportion. Measurement is of the Madonna alone. The base is on the rustic side and only adds another 1.5 cm. Personally I'd change it for something finer.
General notes on item: This is a very interesting piece. There's a strong Portuguese influence, as you can see by the ...bastidor/cage style skirt combined with feet (have a look at the cideo I mention below for a glimpse of a similar piece). These were notoriously difficult to construct in a way where they didn't just tip over and this piece has great balance even off her base.
The Madonna is entirely hand carved in wood, which is covered in a thin layer of applied gesso and then polychrome painted. She has glass eyes. Lapis type earrings and Italian blown glass rosary are included.
The face is lovely and characteristic of the mid 19th century romantic period when idealised "pretty" faces were in vogue. This is a face that would have been at home in one of William-Adolphe Bouguereau's paintings.
Condition: The Madonna herself is in overall good condition, she's solid and sturdy. The forearms and hands are missing, as is half of one foot. I can recommend an ebay seller who makes excellent replacements hands (Fabio Paolella in Naples). I, however, made the choice to leave her as is, since I think she looks great without restoration. There's old damage to the paintwork on her neck which has been stabilised and will not flake.
Provenance: Spanish Private Collection
If you're interested in this sort of piece there's a fantastic video on Youtube of an exhibition n Barcelona of Virgenes Vestideras (Madonnas designed to be dressed): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TK5DWPt2PpI
Price references:- Mannequin Madonna, 2nd half of the 19th century. Made in pine and lindenwood, with carved and naturalistically painted head and hands, intended to be clothed. $3900, https://www.dorotheum.com/en/l/160156/
- 18th Century, Spanish Colonial Madonna in Carved and Polychromed Wood $7, 671.13 , https://www.1stdibs.com/furniture/more-furniture-collectibles/collectibles-curiosities/religious-items/18th-century-spanish-colonial-madonna-carved-polychromed-wood/id-f_6567093/
- 18th Century Spanish Colonial Carved Wood Statue of a Saint, $8, 799.24, 1stdibs.com/furniture/decorative-objects/sculptures/figurative-sculptures/18th-century-spanish-colonial-carved-wood-statue-saint/id-f_6566103/
- Baroque Santos Cage Doll, Virgin, Mannequin$9, 350 , rubylane.com/item/1836869-Santosx20Cagex20Doll/18th-Century-Portuguese-Baroque-Santos-Cage?search=1&t=55a08c82
On Feb-28-21 at 14:59:37 PST, seller added the following information:There have been a couple of questions about having the forearms/hands recreated - so the answer is yes. We do have a person who can do the work. Email us for details.
Period: Circa 1850
Total height: 72.5 cm (28.54 inches). Have a look at the 4th picture where she's next to a wine bottle for a sense of proportion. Measurement is of the Madonna alone. The base is on the rustic side and only adds another 1.5 cm. Personally I'd change it for something finer.
General notes on item: This is a very interesting piece. There's a strong Portuguese influence, as you can see by the ...bastidor/cage style skirt combined with feet (have a look at the cideo I mention below for a glimpse of a similar piece). These were notoriously difficult to construct in a way where they didn't just tip over and this piece has great balance even off her base.
The Madonna is entirely hand carved in wood, which is covered in a thin layer of applied gesso and then polychrome painted. She has glass eyes. Lapis type earrings and Italian blown glass rosary are included.
The face is lovely and characteristic of the mid 19th century romantic period when idealised "pretty" faces were in vogue. This is a face that would have been at home in one of William-Adolphe Bouguereau's paintings.
Condition: The Madonna herself is in overall good condition, she's solid and sturdy. The forearms and hands are missing, as is half of one foot. I can recommend an ebay seller who makes excellent replacements hands (Fabio Paolella in Naples). I, however, made the choice to leave her as is, since I think she looks great without restoration. There's old damage to the paintwork on her neck which has been stabilised and will not flake.
Provenance: Spanish Private Collection
If you're interested in this sort of piece there's a fantastic video on Youtube of an exhibition n Barcelona of Virgenes Vestideras (Madonnas designed to be dressed): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TK5DWPt2PpI
Price references:- Mannequin Madonna, 2nd half of the 19th century. Made in pine and lindenwood, with carved and naturalistically painted head and hands, intended to be clothed. $3900, https://www.dorotheum.com/en/l/160156/
- 18th Century, Spanish Colonial Madonna in Carved and Polychromed Wood $7, 671.13 , https://www.1stdibs.com/furniture/more-furniture-collectibles/collectibles-curiosities/religious-items/18th-century-spanish-colonial-madonna-carved-polychromed-wood/id-f_6567093/
- 18th Century Spanish Colonial Carved Wood Statue of a Saint, $8, 799.24, 1stdibs.com/furniture/decorative-objects/sculptures/figurative-sculptures/18th-century-spanish-colonial-carved-wood-statue-saint/id-f_6566103/
- Baroque Santos Cage Doll, Virgin, Mannequin$9, 350 , rubylane.com/item/1836869-Santosx20Cagex20Doll/18th-Century-Portuguese-Baroque-Santos-Cage?search=1&t=55a08c82
On Feb-28-21 at 14:59:37 PST, seller added the following information:There have been a couple of questions about having the forearms/hands recreated - so the answer is yes. We do have a person who can do the work. Email us for details.
