My Santos Cage Dolls

 Here is a little history of these lovely dolls which I found at Noble Treasures Antiques. 

Santos dolls take their name from the Spanish word for Saint, and are also known as Santons (French) and Santibelli (Italian). The Santos that started the genre of dolls we currently represent (primarily Spanish Colonial and Western European style), were originally started as copies of 17th century carvings by priests.

 Originally, Santos were created for use as in-home altars. They were needed in small villages that did not have a priest, as well as for when it was not possible to travel to church, such as during times of war. Their development flourished in Europe in the 1700's and 1800's, primarily due to these wars.

European Santos dolls were also brought to the Latin Americas during the Colonial age of Spain’s settling of The New World.  The dolls were used to aid in the of conversion of the Native Americans and Central American Indians to Catholicism. Many of these original dolls, along with the art that inspired them, were destroyed while trying to settle the West.  In more recent years, fine and folk art has emerged to replace these dolls.  As the art form has progressed, the Santos has become recognized as a true artistic doll.  Some dolls are rustic carvings, while others have magnificent details.

My two Santos Cage  Dolls are my treasure. I sold all my Barbies due to lack of space but kept my Santos Cage Dolls . Here are a few photos I just took of them . 

The first one I purchased a few years ago and I altered it to hold earring I have created. I now have her on display in my bedroom with my steampunk style decor.  She came with the halo which I covered in gears to give it an industrial look I added the steampunk heart and used chicken wire to cover base. The earrings are hung on the chicken wire for display.  When a bought her she had one hand that was not the original one so it looks a little bigger then the other one . But she is still beautiful. Her face looks somber and I believe she is made of wood and is painted in a glossy looking paint. I added a black and gold rosary to give it a religous touch  . She is about 24 inches tall and she is a conversation piece. 

The second one is a reproduction and I have her displayed in my sanctuary room boho style decor and all I did on her is make a crown for her head. She measures about 23 inches tall . Notice her face it is chiseled but yet sweet and lovely. The paint is very detailed and intense . Her arms cannot be moved they are stationary and she is holding a heart . I think she is made of wood and base is made of metal. I am thinking of adding a rosarie around her neck but have not found the perfect one . I would love to add something to the inside base but I am not sure I will do so. 

I would love to add another Cage doll but smaller in size but they have gotten very expensive  

Hope you enjoyed this post and if you want please leave a comment .