Description:

Mexico, ca. 1800-1900 CE. A lovely antique Mexican retablo depicting the archangel Raphael. Icons like these were placed above household altars to venerate the saints (retablo literally means "behind the altar"). The retablo became wildly popular in the 19th century due to the introduction of tin as an affordable medium. This example shows the archangel Raphael in brightly colored garb with magnificent wings. He gazes intently at his traveler's staff topped with gourds, and in his right hand he holds a single fish on a string. The fish is a common identifier for Raphael, and is a reference to Raphael's appearance in the book of Tobit in the Catholic Bible. In that story, Raphael uses the gallbladder of a fish to heal Tobit's blindness. He is the patron saint of eyesight and travel. 6-1/2" x 4-3/4" Provenance: Ex-R. Kelley collection, Colorado. All items in this auction have been legally acquired, are legal to sell, and guaranteed to be as described or your money back. A Certificate of Authenticity will accompany all winning bids, papered by our parent company, Artemis Gallery Ancient Art. The starting price is the lowest price at which the lot can sell.

  • Condition: Areas of loss, warping, and rust, as is typical with antique tin.

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January 24, 2014 9:00 AM MST
Louisville, CO, US

Artemis Fine Arts

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Bid Increments
From: To: Increments:
$0 $299 $25
$300 $999 $50
$1,000 $1,999 $100
$2,000 $4,999 $250
$5,000 $9,999 $500
$10,000 $19,999 $1,000
$20,000 $49,999 $2,000
$50,000 $99,999 $5,000
$100,000 $199,999 $10,000
$200,000 + $25,000