Santos is the Spanish word for Saint.
Originally, Santos were created to use as altars in the home, when a church was out of reach, especially in smaller Europeon villages during the 17 and 1800's. They were brought to the Americas by the Spanish, in colonial times, in the image of Christ, Saint Mary, and the Patron Saints. Mine, of course, is a reproduction. *****************
The antique Santo's are extremely expensive and not easy to come by. I bought mine at La Bella Luce (Italian for "the beautiful light") a lovely antique store in historic Clifton, Va. I had been looking for one for quite a while, but they all seemed a little much for my budget. Imagine my surprise when I visited La Bella Luce and they had three dolls. I knew that one was coming home with me that very day. Mine is 18 inches high, and as most reproductions, the hair and eyes are painted on. Her lips are painted a very bright red. I think I would prefer a light pink, but I've made enough changes already.
She was originally painted a very pale green, and had a heart hanging from the hands. As soon as I got it home, I painted it a pale blue, and removed the heart. I also ordered a crown for her, and patiently waited for it to arrive. The crown is very simple; there are some that are so ornate and really beautiful, and also very expensive. I now have a cross and a medal of Our Lady hanging on a gold thread from her hands. Much more saintly I think. Anyway, I think she is beautiful, hope that you like her too.
Original, the one holding the heart
Don't you think the blue is much better?
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
Here is a beautiful collection of Santos Cage Dolls you can find at SantosCageDoll.com. I love them all.
Hope that you have enjoyed seeing my Santos Cage Doll.
Till Nest Time,
Jeannie
Sharing with these great parties
Monday
Amaze Me Monday @ Dwellings
Blue Monday @ Smiling Sally
Give me The Goods Monday @ Rain on a Tin Roof
Make it Pretty Monday @ The Dedicated House
Make the Scene Mondays Alderberry Hill
Making The World Cuter Monday Making The World Cuter
Market Yourself Mondays @Sumo’s Sweet Stuff
Masterpiece Mondays @ Boogie Board Cottage
Mop It Up Mondays@ I Should Be Mopping The Floor
More The Merrier DIY Home Sweet Home
Motivate Me Monday Keeping It Simple
Tuesday
Brag About It Tuesday @ Be Betsy
Cottage Style Linky Party @ Lavender Garden Cottage
Creatively Tuesday @ The Rustic Pig
Inspire Me Tuesday @ A Stroll Thru Life
Made in a Day @ Made In A Day
Nifty Thrifty Tuesday @ Coastal Charm
Show Me What Ya Got @ Not Just A Housewife
Show Me What You Got Tuesdays @ Our Delightful Home
Tea Cup Tuesday @ Artful Affirmations
Tea Cup Tuesday @ Martha's Favorites
Tea Time Tuesday @ Rose Chintz Cottage
The Inspiration Board @ Carolyn's Homework
The Scoop Tuesdays@ Cedar Hill Ranch
Time to Shine Party @ A Diamond in the Stuff
Totally Transformed Tuesday @ PJH Designs
Tuesdays at Our Home @ Our Home Away From Home
Tuesday’s Treasures @ My Uncommon Slice Of Suburbia
Tweak I Tuesday @ Cozy Little House
Wednesday
Centerpiece Wednesday @ The Style Sisters
Cottage Garden Party @ Fishtail Cottage
Friends Sharing Tea @ Bermideen's Tea Time Blog
Home Wednesdays @ Rose Chintz Cottage
Primp Your Stuff Wednesday @ {Primp}
What's It Wednesday @ Ivy and Elephants
Wow Us Wednesday @ Savvy Southern Style
Thursday
Open House Party @ No Minimalist Here
Think Tank Thursday @ Joyful Homemaking
Time Travel Thursday @ @ Brambleberry Cottage
Tutorials Tips and Tidbits @ Stone Gable
Under $100 Linky Party @ Beyond The Picket Fence
Friday
Anything Blue Friday @ The Dedicated House
Be Inspired Friday @ Common Ground
Feathered Nest Friday @ French Country Cottage
Find A Friend Friday @ Sew Many Ways
Frugal Friday @ The Shabby Nest
Furniture Friday @ Miss Mustard Seed
Home Sweet Home @ The Charm of Home
Open House Friday @ Bermideen's Tea Time Blog
Shabbilicious Friday @ Shabby Art Boutique
Show and Tell Friday @ Romantic Home
Simple and Sweet Fridays @ Rooted in Thyme
What have you Redone @ Redoux Interiors
Saturday
Pink Saturday at How Sweet the Sound
Party Junk @ Funky Junk Interiors
Bouquet of Talent Party @ Life On Lakeshore Drive
Sunday
Nifty Thrifty Sunday @ Nifty Thrifty Things
Sunday Showoff @ Twig Studios
I have loved Santos dolls for many years and have yet to find one in my price range. I am now taking a class to learn how to make them so I know I will have at least one of my own soon. Yours looks very serene in her blue dress and crown.
ReplyDeleteHi Donna, I know exactly what you mean. Believe it or not, I got this one for $36.00. I couldn't believe the price, and I've been tempted to see if they have another one. I got it at La Bella Luce, in Clifton, Va., and I'm sure they would ship. Anyway, I'm looking forward to seeing your doll. I would love to learn how to make one. Where did you find a class?
ReplyDeleteJeannie
I love your doll in blue, perfect!!! And the crown is very sweet too......
ReplyDeleteThank you so much, it's better than the pale green for sure. Thank you for stopping by.
DeleteJeannie
She is beautiful.
ReplyDeleteI love Santos. I've been collecting them for at least twenty years. I have lots of handmade wooden ones, but now they are hard to find given all the trouble south of the border.
Oh, I would just love to see your collection, I'm sure that it is beautiful. Thank you so much for stopping by.
DeleteJeannie
Your Santos doll is lovely in blue, one of my favorite colors. Love the jewels in her crown. New GFC follower!
ReplyDeleteHi Diane, thank you so much. Also, nice to meet you, thank you for joining, we are your newest members.
DeleteJeannie
OH what a gorgeous Santos and the blue is amazing. Thanks tons for joining Inspire Me. Hugs, Marty
ReplyDeleteI like it very much in blue. Lovely collection.
ReplyDeleteHi Magali, thank you so much. How is the house coming along? Think I'll check it out right now. Thanks so much for the visit.
ReplyDeleteJeannie
Hi Jeannie, stopped in via Sandi. I love the cage dolls and am thinking of making one. Thanks for sharing yours. :)
ReplyDeleteOh My! I love her! Yes, she is so much prettier in blue, and the little crown is just perfection. I probably would not have thought to paint it. I have a couple that are reproductions too. Ahhh, to have one of those antique Santos is a dream. laurie
ReplyDeleteHi Laurie, I ordered the crown from the website that I listed in the post, maybe SantosCageDolls.com, there are some incredible crowns and dolls. Since you have several, just thought you may be interested in looking at them. Think I'll go look at them again right now. Thank you so much for the visit.
DeleteJeannie
I just realized, I have the one that you didn't buy - holding a bird. Maybe I'll think about painting her blue. laurie
ReplyDeleteI've been thinking about buying the one with the bird, but I just have no where to put it. They are pretty like they are, but I'm so much happier with the blue, and it's easy to do. Let me know if you do. I really appreciate your visit.
DeleteJeannie
Your Santos doll is so much prettier in blue! And I like her crown. Thanks for sharing at my HOME and enjoy your weekend.
ReplyDeleteBlessings,
Sandi
Hi Sandi, hope you are doing well. Thank you, I think she is prettier too.
DeleteTake care, and blessings to you.
Jeannie
Hey you two!
ReplyDeleteWhat a terrific post we totally enjoyed it. The dolls are really incredible and we cannot recall if we have ever seen them before - very cool indeed.
Thanks again for sharing this great post on BeBetsy BRAG ABOUT IT Tuesday! Take care and hope to see you next week (can't wait to see what you post.) BeBetsy Link and Hop
xo Sharon and Denise
These are exquisite- love,love,love the blue!
ReplyDeleteHi Christina, Thank you, and thank you for the visit.
DeleteJeannie
I like her dress blue so much better
ReplyDeleteI almost ordered one from Ballard designs years ago and now wish I had
however my house is so over packed
I need to clean out before I buy another beautiful thing
the Santos is on my list however
I know exactly what you mean. Don't know if you've looked at Ballard's catalogs lately, but the last two have had Santos. It's tempting, but I'm like you, I have no room for anything. Thank you for coming by, have a great day.
DeleteJeannie
I love how you updated your Santos doll. You were so smart to paint her blue. I adore her beautiful crown.
ReplyDeleteThank you Dee, and thank you so much for the visit.
DeleteJeannie
The changes you made have brought her to life. When I looked at the store grouping my 1st thought was - I wish she could go back and rescue them all! So glad I found you at Lavender Garden Cottage Link Party.
ReplyDeleteHi Susan, wish I could go rescue them. Thank you so much for stopping by, I really appreciate your sweet comments.
ReplyDeleteJeannie
oh, she's really beautiful. love the changes you've made. she's now one of a kind!!
ReplyDeleteHi Debra, I guess she is, I hadn't thought about that. Thank you so much for stopping by, and your kind words.
DeleteJeannie
What a beautiful figure. I love her serene face and I can see why you chose her from the group. That cool blue colour is just perfect, much nicer than the green. I love her crown, too.
ReplyDeleteThank you Rhissanna, I was so happy when I found her, green and all, but I do love the blue. Thank you for visiting The French Hen's Nest.
DeleteJeannie
Lovely Santos Doll...Fabulous find, These dolls are a real favorite of mine ... It would be so delightful to make one.. Thanks for sharing all the great info...Hugs
ReplyDeleteHi Zaa, I would love to make one as well, someone who commented above said that she was taking a class to make one. Would love to take a class. Thank you so much for stopping by.
DeleteJeannie
I host a weekly link party called "Seasonal Sundays". This week, in honor of my fourth blog-a-versary, I'm having a giveaway of a $100.00 gift certificate to HomeGoods/TJ Maxx. I'd love to have you join the fun!
ReplyDelete- The Tablescaper
Congratulations on your fourth anniversary. We would love to join the party, thank you. Have a great Sunday.
DeleteJeannie