19th Century Antique Wooden South American Santos Doll w/glass eyes

Description

19th (possibly late 18th) Century Antique Wooden South American Santos Doll w/glass eyes
This is a rare skillfully made wooden Santos Doll in a blue dress with linen sleeves attached to the wooden hands. She has glass eyes which is well known detail of the antique dolls. The doll could be removed from a wooden base as shown on photos.
This doll displays the individual beauty, rustic antique charm and delicate features for which Santos Dolls are well known.
It measures 9 inches high without the base, with the base – 10.5 inches.
Provenance: Private Collection
Condition:
There are some age-related minor scratches/scuffs, chips, loss of paint on the wood; she has a distressed finished and is in general, well-worn, antique condition. Please see photographs for details before purchasing. Be sure to ask any questions that you may have or request additional photos. Priced to sell.
Shipped insured by USPS
History:
European Santos dolls were brought to the Latin Americas during the Colonial age of Spain's settling of The New World.  The dolls were used to aid in the of conversion of the Native Americans and Central American Indians to Catholicism. Many of these original dolls, along with the art that inspired them, were destroyed while trying to settle the West.  Therefore, antiques in good shape are rare and very expensive. Santos dolls are designed and created by "Santeros" or "Santonniers" (loosely 'saint maker'). As the art form has progressed, the Santos has become recognized as a true artistic doll.  Some dolls are rustic carvings, while others have magnificent details.
Santos, particularly the females, exhibit a most loving expression that is also complex and thoughtful. Their shape is often rustic in nature, yet with delicate details.  They are sometimes painted in rich colors with detailed eyes.  Antique dolls frequently have glass eyes, while reproductions (as well as some antique Santos) most commonly have painted eyes.  The dolls emulate the image of Christ, The Virgin Mary, Patron Saints, as well as other notable figures in biblical history.