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Santos--Prized religious carvings

Puerto Rico's early mountain farmers faced a religious dilemma. From the mother country they had inherited the Catholic devotion to saint figures. Set in the place of honor on home altars, these figures represented the worshipper's special saint, or santo, who would be remembered in daily devotions and invoked in times of need. But in the isolated rural communities, where even churches were a rarity, Spanish-made statues were scarce and prohibitively expensive. Being resourceful, the farmers found a solution by carving their own Biblical saints and scenes out of local woods. And so, one of the island's most prized crafts was born.

The early santos carvers may have based their choice of woods on those used by Taíno Indians, who sculpted their own deities out of stone and wood. The heads and bodies of the saints were hewn out of one pice of wood, while such details as hands, bases and symbolic elements were carved separately and attached. The statues then received several coats of paint and occasionally cloth garments and human-hair wigs for verisimilitude.

Many santos had a roughhewn look, but, over time, certain carvers became known for the superior quality of their work. Called santeros, they often made their livelihood in carpentry or other occupations and carved santos in their free time. Before holidays, they would travel to nearby communities to repair and repaint their statues. Santeros often handed down their skills to the next generation, and certain family names such as Cabán, Rivera, Cartagena, Ramos, Cajiga, and Avilés have become well-know in the world of santos collectors; today their works fetch prices of $300 to $1500, and even higher, depending on the size the condition and the rarity of the saint.

Article and first two images from BIENVENIDOS and third image from CARAS DE PUERTO RICO