Spanish Carved Bust of St. Teresa of Ávila c.1600

An animated carved wooden Spanish icon depicting St. Teresa of Ávila in her right hand, her left hand displaying the sign of stigmata. Created c.1600.

The wonderful sculpture retains much of its original polychrome and intricate, delicately painted gilding in the form of a lattice of flowers across her gown. The upholstered embroidered gilding is known as ‘estofada’ decoration, serves as a remarkable testament to the period's artistic and spiritual fervour. This particular piece, likely representing St. Teresa of Ávila, encapsulates the profound influence of her mysticism on Spanish art and culture. The estofado technique, was commonly used in Spain to embellish religious sculptures, reflecting the high esteem in which figures like St. Teresa were held.

St. Teresa of Ávila, a central figure in Christian mysticism, profoundly influenced spiritual thought with her deep and transformative experiences of the divine. Born Teresa Sánchez de Cepeda y Ahumada in 1515 in Ávila, Spain, she joined the Carmelite Convent of the Incarnation and embarked on a path of intense spiritual inquiry and practice.

Her writings, such as "The Interior Castle," which explores the soul's journey to divine union, resonate through such art, embodying the spiritual essence she conveyed.

This sculpture is not only a work of art; it is a historical artefact that speaks of mysticism, devotion, and artistic expression from a pivotal era in Spanish history.

See images for historical restoration to hand.