Erotica, Curiosa – Figurine Of A Monk – Anticlerical – Folk Art – Lecherous Priest – France

Late 19th century France – probably Jura or Massif Central. A striking folk figurine depicting a hooded monk, carved from dark wood, with the head and hands finely sculpted from a lighter material (bone). This deliberate contrast between the flesh and the habit lends the scene a theatrical, almost silent intensity. The monk, with a long beard and downcast gaze, stands with his arms crossed in a posture of humility. At first glance, everything exudes piety and contrition. But beneath the removable base, an irreverent surprise is revealed: a miniature erotic figure, sculpted with discreet yet explicit humor, in the purest tradition of late 19th-century anticlerical curiosities. This work, though very small, demonstrates a high degree of skill: the drapery of the robe, the folds of the hood, and the expressive modeling of the face reveal a deft, yet restrained, folk art, where every detail contributes to a double discourse—religious in appearance, secular in intent. These figurines, often made in the workshops of artisans or demobilized soldiers, were objects of both derision and conversation. They reflect the shift from a rural world attached to faith to a free-spirited imagination, where criticism of religious morality was expressed through laughter and cunning. The original rope of the habit underscores the rustic simplicity of the piece. The dark patina, glossy in places, lends the whole a rare visual warmth, accentuated by the contrast of the light, lustrous face. A unique collector's item, where wood, humor, and transgression combine to create a small, critical drama of the religious world, typical of the rebellious spirit of the 19th century. Height: 7.5 cm Condition: beautiful patina, signs of wear. ALL DELIVERIES ARE MADE VIA DHL EXPRESS ONLY.