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Bust of El Rey Pascual

 
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Title
Bust of El Rey Pascual
Description
A wooden bust of El Rey San Pascual (San Pascualito) on a wooden block pedestal. San Pascualito is in the form of a skeleton depicted by a skull, spinal column with neck, and ribcage. The surface was once painted white, but now has a dark patina as a result of age and handling.
Format Extent
1 wooden sculpture; Height of the statue: 7 cm (2 3/4 in)
Subject
Bailón, Pascual, Saint, 1540-1592--Cult; Death--Religious aspects; Folk art; Religious objects--Christianity; Santa Muerte (Mexican deity); Woodworking--religious aspects
Note
The mythical figure of Rey Pascual "King of the Graveyard" is an important folk saint that combines teachings of the Catholic Church with indigenous beliefs. Rey Pascual is thought to have the ability to cure disease and is usually depicted as a skeleton, sometimes wearing a robe or cowl, and venerated at home and community altars where figures such as this one would be placed. An earlier version of this item (minus the wooden block) appears to be featured in Jim Pieper's book, "Guatemalan folk saints: Maximon/San Simon, Rey Pascual, Judas, Lucifer, and others" with the caption: "Fragment of tiny Rey Pascual. Height: 2 3/4." Ca: 18th to 19th century. Guatemala. 18.8"
Collection
Jim and Jeanne Pieper Collection, AR-010, RP18
Donor
Jim and Jeanne Pieper
Type
Keywords
Geographic Location
Guatemala
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