Lot 799

18th C. Spanish Colonial Carved Wood Retablo | Archangel Michael

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Lot 799
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18th C. Spanish Colonial Carved Wood Retablo | Archangel Michael
18th C. Spanish Colonial Carved Wood Retablo | Archangel Michael
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18th C. Spanish Colonial Carved Wood Retablo | Archangel Michael

Estimate: $800 - $1,200

Starting Bid: $400

(0 Bids)
by Artemis Fine Arts
July 30, 2026 8:00 AM MDT
Live Auction
686 S. Taylor Avenue
Suite 108
Louisville, CO, US 80027

Latin America, Spanish Colonial, Mexico, ca. 18th century CE. A vivid and theatrical carving of divine justice unfolds within this intimate wooden shrine, where the archangel Saint Michael descends in triumph over the forces of evil. Carved in high relief and set within a box-like retablo form, the composition captures the saint in a moment of celestial authority, poised above the writhing figure of Satan. His right hand raises a sword, the instrument of divine judgment, while his left holds a set of scales, a potent symbol of the weighing of souls and the moral balance central to Christian doctrine. The figure of Michael, clad in stylized armor and framed by sweeping wings, reflects a distinctly Baroque sensibility carried across the Atlantic and reinterpreted in New Spain. The carving is dense and animated, with swirling forms and textured surfaces that animate the scene, suggesting both movement and spiritual intensity. Size: 4.8" L x 9.3" W x 11.7" H (12.2 cm x 23.6 cm x 29.7 cm)

Beneath him, the subdued demon twists amid the carved ground, a visual reminder of the triumph of good over evil that resonated deeply in colonial religious life.

The surrounding wooden case, with its scalloped interior edges and iron hanging loop, indicates the piece's function as a domestic devotional object, likely suspended on a wall within a private home or small chapel. Such retablos served as focal points for prayer and contemplation, bringing sacred narratives into daily life. The warm patina, visible tool marks, and areas of wear speak to both age and use, preserving the hand of the carver and the devotion of its past owners. This work stands as a compelling example of Spanish Colonial Mexican religious art, where European iconography meets local craftsmanship, resulting in objects that are both spiritually charged and materially grounded.

Publication: Please note that the pigments on this piece contain lead and mercury.

Provenance: private collection of S. Saunders, Nogales Arizona, USA collection

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Item # 201739

  • Condition: Chips, nicks, and abrasions to surface as shown, all commensurate with age. Liberal remaining detail and rich patina to surface.

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Bid Increments
From: To: Increments:
$0 $749 $25
$750 $1,499 $50
$1,500 $2,999 $100
$3,000 $7,499 $250
$7,500 $14,999 $500
$15,000 $29,999 $1,000
$30,000 $99,999 $5,000
$100,000 + $10,000