18th century Neapolitan Terracotta Santo Presepio Figure of Saint Anna

Anonymous
Naples, Italy; ca. 1760
Polychrome terracotta, wood, silk, glass

Approximate size: 12 (h) x 5.5 (w) x 4.5 (d) in.

An elegant polychrome terracotta and wood-frame sculpture of Saint Anna adorned in her original handmade silk garments of the 18th century. The figure of St. Anna is eloquently realized with a potent naturalism that speaks to the talented craftspeople and artisans of Baroque Naples. The sculpture is housed in a glass cloche with base.

The tradition of artful Neapolitan dolls, called presepio, emerged out of the regional sculptural traditions of depicting saintly figures during the late Gothic era. During the Renaissance, the Alemanno brother’s talents in wood-carving introduced landscapes and animals accompanying these saints, in particular, creating elaborate Nativity scenes. During the 18th century, on account of King Charles III’s patronage of Neapolitan theater, the presepio tradition was further embellished with the introduction of ordinary citizens featured in religious scenes in contemporary garb. The tradition remains to this day with skilled Neapolitan artisans producing elaborate theatrical displays celebrating their faith and local traditions.

The Neapolitan custom of honoring Saint Anna is evident in the piazza so-named after her as well as the church of Sant’Anna a Capuana located in that same piazza and founded during the 16th century.

Condition commensurate with age. Lacking two fingers. Fading and minor staining to areas of her original silk garb. The silk covering the base of the statue has loosened and frayed in areas.