Guatemala Santo #2

Older Guatemalan wood santo measuring 15 inches tall
Hand-carved wooden santos are a long tradition in Guatemala, where many saints of both traditional and local folk arigin are depicted. This is an older carving in the traditional style, I bought it in an "antique" shop in Santiago Atitlan. The overall height is about 15 inches, and the figure is rather crudely carved. The book is a separate piece and has been attached with a small nail; the hand is also a separate piece and fits into a small hole in the wrist -- this is a very traditional construction technique.