Beautiful C. 18th Century Carved Santos in Red and Gold Polychrome cream pink copper It was a working decoy

It was a working decoy

The letters on the far sides of each features grooves

wonderful androgynous face with great round chin

Or working as a spy

primarily for his own pleasure

Beautiful C. 18th Century Carved Santos in Red and Gold Polychrome cream pink copper It was a working decoyI'm not an expert on carved santos in terms of dating and identifying their specific place of origin, but I've looked at a lot, and believe this one likely dates to the 18th rather than the 19th century, and could be even a bit earlier than that. Losses to the arms as evident, but they don't bother me a bit what a marvelous, beatific face, and wonderful carving of the drapery, lending a great sense of movement, enhanced by the super rich red and gold