Figurine - Sacro Cuore di Gesù - Wood

Title: Hand-carved Sacred Heart of Jesus Sculpture - Polychrome & Gilded Wood - First Half 20th Century

Description:
Charming devotional statue depicting the Sacred Heart of Jesus, dating back to the first half of the 20th century (circa 1900-1940). This piece is clearly artisanal in workmanship and, a detail of great value, is entirely hand-carved from a single solid block of wood (monoxylous carving).

The sculpture features a flat-carved back with visible and beautiful gouge marks, a characteristic feature of statues intended to be placed inside niches or small domestic altars. The base shows the original workshop hole used by the craftsman to fix the block to the workbench or lathe during carving.

The facial features are sharp and expressive, the gaze is collected and directed downward. The Sacred Heart is carved in high relief on the chest, surrounded by rays with traces of period gilding.

Condition:
The piece is in good overall condition and preserves a splendid patina of time. It shows the classic and genuine signs of age that guarantee its authenticity: small and natural areas of paint loss on the edges of the drapery revealing the underlying plaster preparation, a natural wood shrinkage crack on the front of the robe (above the foot), and a dense network of craquelé on the paint of the blue mantle on the back. An old glossy protective finish is present on the hair. Structurally solid and stable.

Dimensions:
Height: 36 cm
Height of the base only: about 6.5 cm