Pair of 19th century Guatemalan carved wooden nativity animals, depicting a recumbent horse and ox.

Both figures retain traces of their original polychrome - the horse in deep, worn black and the ox in a warm reddish-brown with applied horn. Folk-carved with charmingly simplified anatomical details, these animals would have accompanied a large creche ensemble, reflecting the devotional artistry and rustic craftsmanship of rural Guatemala in the 1800s. Lovely patina throughout both animals. Horse hair tail. Sculpture's mark "M" on both animals

15x5x8.5H

BIFA/pair