Based on Catholic tradition, popular in Latin America and Southern Italy, The Anima Sola, the Lonely Soul, is a vivid image of a woman breaking free from her chains and surrounded by the flames of Purgatory, the point at which she is destined for heaven after her temporary suffering. More unusual is the depiction of a male and female pair of souls (Animas Solas). Usually the woman is breaking free from her chains while the man is still bound, looking to her for hope.
This pair of hand painted ceramic figurines well illustrates just that moment. The woman’s chains are broken, the man is still bound and appears to be gazing hopefully at his companion. Circa 1960s, the metal chains are attached to the wrists by embroidery thread. The figures are hollow, the woman is stuffed with paper probably as a means of armature. Each has “Mexico” painted on a bottom edge. The woman is 3 ¼ x 3 ×3 ¾ inches, the man is 3 × 2 × 4 ¼ inches.
Based on Catholic tradition, popular in Latin America and Southern Italy, The Anima Sola, the Lonely Soul, is a vivid image of a woman breaking free from her chains and surrounded by the flames of Purgatory, the point at which she is destined for heaven after her temporary suffering. More unusual is the depiction of a male and female pair of souls (Animas Solas). Usually the woman is breaking free from her chains while the man is still bound, looking to her for hope.
This pair of hand painted ceramic figurines well illustrates just that moment. The woman’s chains are broken, the man is still bound and appears to be gazing hopefully at his companion. Circa 1960s, the metal chains are attached to the wrists by embroidery thread. The figures are hollow, the woman is stuffed with paper probably as a means of armature. Each has “Mexico” painted on a bottom edge. The woman is 3 ¼ x 3 ×3 ¾ inches, the man is 3 × 2 × 4 ¼ inches.
