Antique Religious Folk Art - Carved Wooden and Painted Santos Figure of Santa Ana Triple

Details

Description

This statue appears to be a Saint Anne Triple (or Santa Ana Triple), which traditional religious art depicts as Saint … Read more This statue appears to be a Saint Anne Triple (or Santa Ana Triple), which traditional religious art depicts as Saint Anne holding the Virgin Mary (who is holding the Christ Child) alongside another small figure, such as the young Virgin Mary or Jesus.

Key Features of the Figure:

• Subjects: Saint Anne holding the Virgin Mary and the Christ Child, flanked or accompanied by a smaller child figure.

• Base Symbolism: The crossed-arms emblem at the base represents the Franciscan Order.

• Style & Origin: These types of polychrome and carved religious figures are often associated with Spanish Colonial or Central/South American folk art traditions

Woodcarvers in Spain, and Latin America made devotional sculptures like this one to serve as focal points for personal prayer.

They were crafted by local artisans using native woods and traditional pigments to supply churches, convents, and domestic altars. The makers typically carved the figures from a single block of wood and applied layers of gesso and paint to create the detailed garments.

Devout families used these images in home shrines to offer daily prayers and seek protection during difficult times. They were placed on household altars where family members gathered to light candles and recite the rosary. Over generations, many of these statues were passed down within families or given to community chapels as enduring expressions of faith. See less