Beautiful Very Old Carved and Polychromed Santos Head mini dolls Box shows tons of wear

Box shows tons of wear and water damage

which contains mercury—making one very careful handling it

and would make a striking one

I've been on the lookout

I can just picture the long ago maker using an old brass stencil wheel with paint the black numbers on them

Beautiful Very Old Carved and Polychromed Santos Head mini dolls Box shows tons of wearI am no an expert on Santos, but am pretty confident based on research that this carved and painted head dates to the late 18th or so, and I might guess Italian. He certainly looks the sensitive and serene soul to me, and I've taken to thinking of him as a poet as much as a saint! Polychrome over carved wood, beautifully aged, and with what appear to be inset glass eyes. 2 5 8" t x 1 7 8" w x 1 7 8" d. The head won't stand on its own, but will balance