Late 18th Century Neapolitan Glass-Eyed Santon Head

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Description

Traveling Man Treasures is selling this masterfully sculpted late 18th-century terracotta Neapolitan Santon head with stunning glass eyes. The work … Read more Traveling Man Treasures is selling this masterfully sculpted late 18th-century terracotta Neapolitan Santon head with stunning glass eyes. The work is in good-to-fair condition (as shown) and attached to a large acrylic base for display.

Modeled by hand from terracotta and then polychrome-painted; this expressive, hand-painted female bust features inset glass eyes and was most likely crafted for elaborate nativity scenes. This type of head would have originally sat atop a posable wire-and-tow body fitted with carved wood limbs, and dressed in meticulously tailored period clothing. They were crafted for expansive, theatrical Nativity displays (presepi) that depicted not just the holy family, but all strata of secular Neapolitan life (Specific to Naples, Italy).

DIMENSIONS:
OVERALL: 10.75" H x 3.5" W x 3.5" D
HEAD: 4.25" H x 2.5" W x 2.5" D See less