Spanish Colonial (Peruvian)

Cuzco School Baptismal Dish

18th Century

Provenance: Collection of Emily Johnston De Forest and Robert Weeks De Forest, New York, by 1911-until 1942; thence by descent until 2018. Literature: ...

Provenance: Private Collection, Argentina; there acquired by Mr. and Mrs. Ernest T. Harper, New York, by 1960; by descent to: Mr. and Mrs. Alan Harper, New York, until 2024. This extraordinary mirrored frame is an exuberant and nearly perfectly preserved example of Andean 18th-century decorative art. Pierced mirrored rosettes surrounding floral motifs are set against mirrored surrounds along a broad frieze bordered within and without by elaborate raised moldings, inlaid by small, shaped mirrors. Repeating ornamental motifs reflecting both Spanish and indigenous designs surround both the inside panel and the exterior perimeter, the four corners of which are punctuated by mirrored rosettes. Glass mirrors were unknown to the indigenous population of the Americas prior to the arrival of Europeans (obsidian mirrors...

Provenance: Private Collection, Paraguay, for at least the last 80 years Painted in the Viceroyalty of Peru during the 18th century, the present work depicts the young Christ as the Niño de la Espina—a devotional representation of Christ as he looks down at his bleeding finger, which has been pricked by the crown of thorns resting on his lap. The subject of the Young Christ Pricked by a Thorn was especially popular in Cuzco, and the rich details and decorative elements of our work perfectly capture the essence and style of the Cuzco School of painting. In our painting, Christ wears an intricately patterned floor-length robe trimmed with gilded cuffs and a gilded collar. The delicate gilding, including the halo of golden rays emanating from his head, are executed in brocateado, an ornamental over-gilding technique that is characteristic of the Cuzco School. The red chair on which Christ sits also includes brocateado in the decorative gilt elements. The form of the chair takes inspiration from those commonly used by friars both in Spain and the Andes, known as silla frailera or sillon frailero, and was also frequently employed in related depictions of the Virgin Mary Spinning. Here the young Christ is rendered with soft, elongated features that reflect the influence of the Italian Mannerist painters who were pivotal to the formation of the Cuzco School, including the Jesuit friar Bernardo Bitti and Matteo Pérez del Alesio. Additionally, while its origins can be traced to Northern European pictorial traditions, the lush flower garland that frames the work is a signature feature of Cuzqueño painting...

Provenance: Private Collection, Spain. Known as Peruvian alabaster for its translucency and workability, Piedra de Huamanga is a highly prized material from the province of Ayacucho in Peru. In the 17th and 18th centuries, local craftsman in the town of Huamanga began to specialize in the production of small-scale, polychrome religious sculptures made from this distinctive stone. Huamanga sculptures are among the most accomplished examples of carving from the Spanish Americas, where polychrome wood sculpture was a far more common sculptural medium. These works, which were created as independent sculptures or as sculptural groups—such as our three Magi—were intended for ecclesiastical as well as domestics settings. Our three figures likely formed part of a larger Nativity group—a New World variant of the tradition of the Neapolitan Crèche...

Without hallmarks. Container known as catavinos (wine tasting cup) or tembladera with two flat handles in the form of closed "S" (with simplified vegetable decoration) and a line "d...

A big dish in the style of Guidette Carbonell with brown glaze decoration. Perfect original conditions, circa 1940-1950. Unique piece.

Elegant large silver plate bowl for Your table: for desserts or fruit, to prepare a table center piece for Christmas. It's very beautiful ! with a g...

A charming, handpainted terracotta lebrillo bowl from Granada, Spain (19th century)–these illustrative ceramic works collectively known as fajalauza pottery can be traced back to at ...