Trying to Date Two Stylized Wooden Saints

Hello Everyone,

I'm new to the forum and "modern" antiques in general--my area of expertise is ancient Greek coinage. However, after having dinner with a friend and viewing his impressive collection of early modern Christian art (1500-1800) I wanted to try and get a few pieces. I have no idea if these pieces are as old as the seller said (c. 1700s/1800s), but I find them beautiful and so I bought them as decorative art for my house or perhaps office. I believe the male is Saint Isidore the laborer, to judge from the sickle, and the female, perhaps St. Rose of Lima. Even though she has no roses about her, she is the only saint I know of to carry a city (presumably as the patron saint). Note the turreted headdress as well, indicative, I think, of her role as protector of a particular city, perhaps Lima.

My question: how do I date these? They were sold together and appear to be from the same hand.

More photos coming. Have to resize.

 

More pics:

 

Have you asked your friend for his opinion? Seems that would be the logical place to start.

 

My friend is not an expert by any means--he has many nice pieces, but relies on well-established dealers to determine authenticity.

 

I would think they were examples of the carved wooden saints and other figures that were all around in the 1970s. From Spain. Some are polychromed.

Debora

 

Thanks for the info, Deborah. Do you believe all such pieces are attributable to 1970s Spain, or were the Spaniards copying an early style? I've only really looked at online sources so I haven't investigated much.

 

Yes, they were an interpretation of Medieval religious carvings. Yours don't appear to be old. I would think they dated to the 1970s. But do wait for others which may have differing opinions.

Debora

 

Welcome Nicholas.
I'm with Debora, Spanish and not antique. That roughly hewn look is typical of those Spanish souvenir pieces. You could call them Romanesque Revival.
I have never seen 1500-1800 statues of saints with that rough finish, not even very folksy ones.

I agree, St Isidore the farm labourer, but the lady is St Barbara, imo. Her attribute is a tower because she was imprisoned in one.

 

Thank you, Any Jewelry. (And Santa Barbara makes sense as she's frequently found in Spain while Santa Rosa de Lima is not.) Nicholas, if these were mis-represented to you by the seller, they should be returned.

Debora

 

True, and Rosa de Lima is depicted as a Dominican nun with a crown of roses and roses in her hand.

I agree.

 

The seller's description was vague and I bought them knowing they probably weren't true antiques. But I really do love the style so I want to keep them (they were about $40 each).

@Any Jewelry thank you for the Saint Barbara information. I had seen a list where St. Rose was the only one listed as holding a city, but St. Barbara makes perfect sense!

 

Keep your eye out for something like this.

Debora

 

Another Barbara. Although I prefer this Gothic style, it is older than Nicholas' time frame. 1500-1800 is Baroque and Rococo.

 

French c 1500 in the collection of The Met.

Debora

 

Ah, I would have thought older, similar ones from the Low Countries are older. Maybe more of a country piece, although of good quality.

 

I vote St. Barbara.. that looks like a saltpeter shaker to me. That is why they are so rare.

 

Bump

 

Why?

 

Oh I thought it’s cool similar to the wood carving I have.

 

I'll check it out.