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ID #SA1218933
FOR SALE
£9,500
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18th C. Life-size, Carved Wood Figure of a Man (Santos) on Plinth (Italian)
For sale by White Space Antiques
for sale €11,115     $12,065
£9,500
White Space Antiques

White Space Antiques

Sellingantiques Verified Since Feb 2026
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18th C. Life-size, Carved Wood Figure of a Man (Santos) on Plinth (Italian)

18th century
Description

18th Century, Life-Size, Carved Wood Figure of a Man (Santos) on Plinth (Italian)

Dating to late 17th/early 18th century, this rare sculpted, life-size male figure is very realistic with an expressive and posed face, and well-carved male torso and genitalia, raised on polychrome and gilt plinth.

CONDITION:

Wear commensurate with age. Beautiful patina garnered over two centuries.

PROVENANCE:

From the Estate of renowned antique historian and collector, Eddi Van Auken (1946 - 2024), in California who acquired it from Il Segno del Tempo, Milan, Italy. Previously it was listed as a ‘Possesso Importante’ in a Private Estate Inventory of a Benedictine Monastery in Milan.

COLLECTION:

Buyer must collect, or arrange collection, from Westbury, Wiltshire.

WEBSITE:

For more information or more detailed images, please visit our website:

https://www.WhiteSpaceAntiques.com

Physical Dimensions
Height
181cm (71.26")
Declaration

White Space Antiques has dated this Carved Wood Santos Figure to the 1750s.

Reference Numbers
Sellingantiques Reference
SA1218933
Description
18th Century, Life-Size, Carved Wood Figure of a Man (Santos) on Plinth (Italian)

Dating to late 17th/early 18th century, this rare sculpted, life-size male figure is very realistic with an expressive and posed face, and well-carved male torso and genitalia, raised on polychrome and gilt plinth.

fig 1. An 18th-century carved wood male figure standing on a square stepped wooden plinth.
fig 1. 18th C. Life-size, Carved Wood Figure of a Man (Santos) on Plinth (Italian)

CONDITION:

Wear commensurate with age. Beautiful patina garnered over two centuries.

PROVENANCE:

“
From the Estate of renowned antique historian and collector, Eddi Van Auken (1946 - 2024), in California who acquired it from Il Segno del Tempo, Milan, Italy.
White Space Antiques

Previously it was listed as a ‘Possesso Importante’ in a Private Estate Inventory of a Benedictine Monastery in Milan.

COLLECTION:

Buyer must collect, or arrange collection, from Westbury, Wiltshire.

WEBSITE:

For more information or more detailed images, please visit our website:

https://www.WhiteSpaceAntiques.com

Height
181cm (71.26")
Date of Manufacture

White Space Antiques has dated this Carved Wood Santos Figure to the 1750s.

Reference Numbers
Sellingantiques Ref
SA1218933
White Space Antiques
White Space Antiques
Sellingantiques verified Since Feb 2026

Curate your white space

Dealer Profile

You can view the stock and full dealer information on the White Space Antiques Profile Page

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An 18th-century carved wood male figure standing on a square stepped wooden plinth.
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Archive I An 18th-century carved wood male figure standing on a square stepped wooden plinth.

18th C. Life-size, Carved Wood Figure of a Man (Santos) on Plinth (Italian)

Archive II An 18th-century carved wood male figure standing on a square stepped wooden plinth. View II
Archive III An 18th-century carved wood male figure standing on a square stepped wooden plinth. View III
Archive IV An 18th-century carved wood male figure standing on a square stepped wooden plinth. View IV
Archive V An 18th-century carved wood male figure standing on a square stepped wooden plinth. View V
Enlarged Archival View
White Space Antiques

White Space Antiques
Telephone 07760 835542
Location
Westbury
Wiltshire
United Kingdom

By appointment only.
Dealer Profile Page sellingantiques.co.uk/whitespace
Verified Since Feb 2026
Items For Sale 64
Items Sold 6
White Space Antiques
White Space Antiques
Verified Since Feb 2026
View Dealer Info
Location: Westbury, Wiltshire, United Kingdom, , By appointment only.
Profile: sellingantiques.co.uk/whitespace
Verified
Feb 2026
For Sale
64
Sold
6
An 18th-century carved wood male figure standing on a square stepped wooden plinth.
18th C. Life-size, Carved Wood Figure Of A Man (Santos) On Plinth (Italian)
Ref: SA1218933
An 18th-century carved wood male figure standing on a square stepped wooden plinth.
Detail View 1
Detail View 2
Detail View 3
Detail View 4
Archival Detail

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Cataloguer’s note

Written by Sellingantiques from the dealer’s photographs and listing
  • ObjectSculptures
  • Period18th century
  • StyleItalian Baroque
  • MaterialCarved Wood, Hardwood
  • ColourWarm Brown
  • MotifsAnatomical carving, Stepped plinth base, Full-length figure, Polished timber finish
  • SizeH 181 cm (71 in)

This life-size Italian Baroque figure of a man dates to 1750 and is carved from hardwood with a polished warm brown timber finish. The full-length sculpture depicts a standing male with an expressive face, detailed anatomical carving across the torso and limbs, and defined genitalia, while lacking arms at the shoulders. It stands upright upon a square stepped wooden plinth base finished in polychrome and gilt. The surface displays visible wear commensurate with age, alongside a dark patina gathered over centuries of handling. Standing 181 cm high, the sculpture is designed for floor placement in an empty corner of a traditional room such as a gentleman's library or study. Position this substantial figurative sculpture directly against a wall in a spacious hallway, drawing room, or study to serve as a focal point. The antique wooden artwork integrates well into period interiors when set on the floor without additional furniture support. Regular dusting with a soft, dry cloth preserves the polished finish and the aged timber surface. The substantial height demands adequate vertical clearance within the chosen interior space.

FAQs

Santos figures are carved religious representations of saints or biblical figures that originated in Southern Europe during the 16th to 18th centuries. They were primarily used in private chapels, churches, and domestic altars for personal devotion and religious veneration.

These sculptures were typically carved by hand from native hardwoods such as walnut, lime, or pine. Craftsmen utilised chisels to render detailed anatomical features before applying gesso, painted polychrome finishes, or wax polishes.

Authentic period examples display signs of hand-carving tool marks, natural timber shrinkage along the wood grain, and age-related wear to the joint areas. Original plinths, square peg joinery, and natural patination also indicate period authenticity.

A life-size wood carving functions as a dramatic sculptural focal point when placed against minimalist walls or framed within an architectural alcove. It pairs effectively with dark timber joinery, classical library settings, or contrasting contemporary gallery spaces.

Dust the carving gently with a soft, dry microfibre brush to prevent buildup in delicate recesses. Maintain stable indoor humidity levels to prevent timber movement, cracking, or splitting, and keep the sculpture away from direct sunlight and heat sources.
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