Figure - Niño Jesús de pie con el globo terráqueo - 42 cm - Wood

Ancient sculpture of the Child Jesus with a globe, polychromed wood, possibly 18th century, from a Catalan family provenance.

Description of the piece:

Polychromed, full-round religious sculpture representing the Child Jesus standing, with the right hand raised in a blessing gesture and the left holding a globe. It is a traditional iconography of Christian imagery, in which the globe symbolizes Christ’s dominion over the world.

The figure presents a frontal composition, with an infant expression of direct gaze, large, defined eyes, rosy cheeks, delicately outlined lips and wavy hair, worked in volumes that frame the face. The anatomy, the disposition of the arms and the position of the legs confer the image a presence characteristic of devotional sculpture intended for private veneration.

The torso appears uncovered and the lower part of the body is covered by a garment in ocher-yellow tones. The polychromy preserves a warm palette of flesh tones, pinks, ochres, browns and aged greens. In the left hand he holds a dark globe, with traces of a lighter finish still visible.

According to observation, the figure, the globe and the base seem to be made of wood, with a surface preparation possibly of plaster or similar material, on which the polychromy was applied. The definitive identification of materials and execution technique awaits specialized examination.

Dating and historical context

Dating: possible 18th century

The hypothesis of an eighteenth-century chronology is based on the sculpture’s family provenance, linked to an old Catalan country house (masia) whose history is set roughly between 1750 and 1800 and which has a chapel (Mare de Deu dels Horts).

The piece is of interest for the study of traditional religious imagery and of devotional images kept in old noble houses and Catalan masias.

Pedestal

The sculpture sits on a rectangular stepped pedestal, with several levels and remnants of painting in ochre, greens and earthy tones. Its surface shows pronounced aging, with wear, finish losses and marks accumulated over time.

The base contributes to presenting the image as a devotional object. It has not been confirmed whether this is the original pedestal or a base added later.

Condition

Condition in line with the visible wear in the photo, with occasional losses of polychromy, cracks, scuffing and superficial deterioration in various zones of the figure and pedestal.

Aging marks and small finish alterations are observed. It is recommended to preserve the piece in its current state, avoiding aggressive cleaning, retouching, or interventions that could alter the historic-polychromy.

Measurements

Whole figure and pedestal
* Total height of the figure: approximately 42 cm.
* Base: 7 cm height.
* Base: 19 cm wide × 13 cm deep.

Child Jesus figure
* Height: 35 cm.
* Width: 16 cm.
* Depth: 8 cm.

Technical data
* Object: full-round religious sculpture.
* Representation: Child Jesus with globe.
* Apparent material: wood with surface preparation and polychromy
* Proposed era: possible 18th century, not authenticated.
* Provenance: family inheritance linked to an old Catalan masia with chapel.
* Historical context of the property: approximately 1750–1800, according to family information.

Interest for collectors
Devotional sculpture with traditional Christian iconography, a polychromed presentation and family provenance linked to an old Catalan rural property. Its possible relation to private devotion in a masia with chapel and the hypothesis of an 18th-century chronology justify specialized study to determine its age, materials and historical-artistic value.