Carved Wood Nicho with Fleur-de-Lis Crest & Shooting Star, Tin Bird Retablo View Watchlist >
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Lot # G435
System ID # 30413540
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End Date
7 Watching
Carved Wood Nicho with Fleur-de-Lis Crest & Shooting Star, Tin Bird Retablo
A hand-carved wooden devotional nicho — a wall-mounted shrine niche built to hold a santo, retablo, or family keepsake. The pointed Gothic-arch opening rises to an elaborate crest of scrolling crockets flanked by fleur-de-lis finials, with a carved six-pointed shooting star anchoring the peak. Carved foliate stalks trace the front stiles, and traces of green and gilt paint survive within the recesses. The interior shows the warm patina of long use.
The reverse retains its original salmon-pink painted surface with the original hanging hardware, and includes a bright punched-and-painted tin bird-and-flower ornament — a hallmark of Mexican and New Mexican folk tinwork. The niche stands on a molded plinth with splayed feet, ready to mount or set on a shelf. A folk-art object that carries the borderland tradition of the home altar.
CONDITION
Good, authentically rustic. Paint loss and wear throughout the carved crest and finials consistent with age; several finial tips show chipping. The tin bird ornament is bright and intact. Solid overall with a stable, honest surface.
DIMENSIONS / SPECIFICATIONS
- Overall: 22 3/4" H × 13 1/2" W × 9" D
- Inside Niche: 11 7/8" H × 10 1/2" W × 6 3/8" D
- Construction: Carved wood, wall mountable
- Includes: Painted aluminum/tin hanging bird ornament (verso)
- Campbell's Soup Can (4" H) Shown for Scale — Not Included
