Bidspirit auction | CASPICARA CIRCLE. QUITO SCHOOL, ECUADOR,

CASPICARA CIRCLE. QUITO SCHOOL, ECUADOR, 19TH CENTURY - Reclining Child Jesus - Carved and polychromed wood figure with a silver crown. Includes a period embroidered cushion. Dimensions: 13 x 23 x 8 cm. Delicate representation of the Christ Child reclining on a green velvet cushion with metallic braid. The image displays meticulous rendering of the flesh tones, a sweet expression, and an upward gaze, characteristic features of devotional imagery developed within the Quito School. It retains its openwork silver crown and traces of gilding in the hair, elements that enhance its processional and devotional character. The quality of the anatomical modeling, the softness of the flesh tones, and the expressive sensitivity allow the work to be linked to the sculptural tradition derived from the models of Manuel Chili ”Caspicara” (ca. 1723-1796), one of the leading masters of viceregal sculpture in the Americas. During the 19th century, numerous workshops in Quito continued to reproduce and reinterpret the models established by Caspicara, especially in images of the Christ Child intended for private devotion. The work retains its appealing popular and devotional character, constituting an interesting example of the survival of the Ecuadorian colonial sculptural tradition.