Wooden carvings and sculptures

  

This is a striking vintage hand-carved wooden bulto, dating from the 1940s to 1960s, a traditional New Mexican santo figure rendered in vibrant folk art style. A bulto, by definition, is a devotional carving of a saint, priest, or holy figure made by santeros, often painted in bold colors and intended for home altars or churches. Unlike smaller retablos or mass-produced figurines, bultos are three-dimensional sculptures created with care and symbolism, each one carrying the individuality of its maker. Standing 22.25 inches tall, 5.5 inches wide, and 2 inches deep, this figure is painted in vivid bright green and red with golden cross motifs, representing liturgical vestments. The priestly robes and hand-carved detailing on the face and hair give it a rustic, almost primitive presence, emphasizing the folk character that makes New Mexican santos so beloved.

It weighs 46.2 ounces on its own and has the solid, weighty feel of a true hand-hewn devotional carving. What makes this particular bulto special is its scale, presence, and individuality. At over 22 inches tall, it is larger than most examples encountered outside of institutional collections, and its brightly painted vestments with crosses and floral-inspired motifs give it a celebratory, sacred energy. The angular carving of the face and robes reflect a santero's personal style, showing the hand of the maker in every cut of the wood.

This is not a mass-market reproduction but a genuine piece of folk devotion, full of character, imperfections, and the patina of age. Bultos like this were traditionally made for worship but have since become highly collected as expressions of Hispanic and Southwestern folk art. This example dates to the mid-20th century and comes from the tradition of New Mexican santeros, where Catholic iconography and rustic craftsmanship merged into deeply personal objects of faith.

It will be double-boxed for security and stability, ensuring it arrives safely.