How were these figures used originally?

These sculptures and paintings served as focal points for prayer and contemplation within churches, private chapels, and domestic shrines. They aided worshippers in visualising biblical narratives and venerating specific saints. Many smaller pieces also formed part of travelling devotions or elaborate seasonal crèche displays in Catholic regions.

How do I care for historic wood carvings?

Keep carved wooden figures away from direct sunlight and steady heat sources to prevent the wood from drying and cracking. Maintain a stable indoor environment with consistent humidity levels. Dust gently with a soft, dry brush and avoid applying liquid cleaners or polishes to fragile polychrome surfaces.

How can I tell Italian carvings from Spanish ones?

Italian baroque works frequently emphasise flowing classical lines and naturalistic proportions in the human form. Spanish pieces often display intense emotional expression and elaborate polychrome detailing. Regional timber choices, such as olive wood in southern areas or limewood in northern workshops, also offer clues to origin.