Veselé Vánoce!

Most appropriate for the season is this charming treasure from our trove, a 24-inch tall vintage statue of the famous Infant Jesus of Prague. The original sacred santos is a wax-coated wooden figure of the Christ child dating from the 16th century residing in the Discalced Carmelite Church of Our Lady of Victories in Prague, the capital of the Czech Republic. Like his Czech counterpart, this Infant holds in his left hand a globus cruciger (an orb or globe topped by a cross, signifying Christ's dominion over the world) and his right hand is raised in benediction. The original Infant is clothed by Carmelite nuns in beautifully tailored robes sewn from luxurious materials and our version is elaborately clad in a white robe trimmed with rows of lace, with a golden cloak draped over the Infant's shoulders. 

He wears an intricate filigree golden metal crown adorned with multicolored glass gems. Out of chalkware, his sweet solemn face is beautifully painted and he has inset blue glass eyes.

Legend holds that the statue originally belonged to Teresa of Ávila, also known as Saint Theresa. In 1556, Spanish noblewoman María Maximiliana Manriquez de Lara y Mendoza brought the figure with her upon her marriage to Czech nobleman Vratislav of Pernstyn. Her daughter Princess Polyxena von Lobkowicz donated the statue to the Discalced Carmelite friars in 1628. 

In 1631, during the Thirty Years' War, the friary was plundered and the Infant left on a pile of rubble, its hands broken off. When the friars returned in 1637, Father Cyrillus found the broken statue and knelt in prayer. He then heard a voice say, "Have pity on me, and I will have pity on you. Give me my hands, and I will give you peace. The more you honor me, the more I will bless you." The statue was repaired and given a place of honor. The Infant is credited with numerous miracles and healings.

Copies of the Infant are venerated by many Catholics throughout the world. In Ireland the Infant is thought to influence the weather and it is traditional for a bride to place a statue of the Infant in a window or garden to ensure fine weather on her wedding day.

All posted items are for sale at Next-to-New, but things can sell quickly!

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Powerful Portrait

Carved from rich wood, this superb portrait is by Mexican artist Fidias Elizondo (1891-1879). Considered one of the finest sculptors in Mexico, Elizondo was a major influence in Mexican and Latin American art, mentoring many younger artists. Born in Monterrey, at the age of 17 Elizondo followed his dream of becoming at artist by traveling to Mexico City to study at the Academia de San Carlos. At the urging of one of his professors, in 1913 Elizondo traveled to Europe to study, arriving in Paris at the start of WWI. Although he spent much of his time working in the war effort to defend the city, it was in Paris that he created some of his first wood sculptures. After living in Barcelona and Argentina, Elizondo returned to Mexico in 1921. He was a professor at the Escuela de Pintura al Aire Libre and the Academia de San Carlos. Elizondo's most famous work is the monumental statue of Cristo Rey atop the Cubilete mountain in Guanajuato.

The sculpture skillfully portrays a man with tousled hair and an intense expression. The bust resembles a bronze portrait Elizondo created of Beethoven.

It is signed by Elizondo and dated 1936.

A note taped underneath carries some information, although it misspells Elizondo's first name and places his birth date at 1902.

All posted items are for sale at Next-to-New but things can sell quickly.

 

A Treasure by a Living Treasure

This wonderful woodblock print is by Hasui Kawase (1883 – 1957) a Japanese artist who was designated as a Living National Treasure by Japan in recognition of his contributions to Japanese art. Hasui was a proponent of the shin-hanga ("new prints") movement, combining traditional Japanese subjects with elements of Western art, such as perspective and the natural effects of light and shadow. He studied under both traditional masters of ukiyo-e (the floating world) as well as Western-style painting. During his 40-year career, Hasui designed 620 prints, although he also worked in watercolor and oil. He is considered one of modern Japan's most important and influential printmakers.

Entitled "Benkei Bridge in Akasaka," this subtle and serene print is beautifully framed in faux bamboo. The wooden Benkei Bridge was a famous Tokyo landmark because of its beautiful Japanese design. It has since been replaced by a cement bridge.

 Hasui is the art name bestowed by one of his early teachers, Kiyokata Kaburagi, who specilized in traditional Japanese painting. In Japan it was traditional for a master of an art school or workshop to give a student his first art name, although an artist might use several such pseudonyms throughout his career.

All posted items are for sale at Next-to-New, but things can sell quickly!

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