Wood Carvings, Retablos & Santos

Retablos are hand carved wooden altar pieces. Adventure Imports offers replicas of these religious are pieces in various designs and sizes.

Each unique Retablo Art piece is hand carved from solid wood and painted by Quiche Mayan Indian Artisans living in the Highlands of Guatemala. An elaborate antiquing process seals and darkens the wood to make each Retablo appear as if it were carved 400 years ago and plucked from the altar of a crumbling church ruin.

Retablo Art, or Retablos, originate from the 1500’s in the Spanish Colonial Americas. The conquered Mayan Indians were forced to adopt Christianity and these Retablos mingled their ancestral beliefs with their new religion. Retablo pieces were idolized as prayer images, saintly icons, holiday effigies, fertility offerings and were even believed to possess supernatural powers.

RT105

Standing Skeleton This popular Day of the Dead figure is 20" inches tall and features movable arms and a glaring look. Made to look old with an "antiquing" process, this guy grows on you after a while. Each figure is hand carved and hand painted and there might be slight design differences to the figure in the photo. Colors: As pictured Suggested Retail: $25 - $60

RT106

Standing Skeleton This is the same as the skeleton RT105, but in a version of 16" inches in height. Made to look old with an "antiquing" process, this guy grows on you after a while. Each figure is hand carved and hand painted and there might be slight design differences to the figure in the photo. Colors: The middle figure as pictured Suggested Retail: $18 - $35

RT107

Standing Skeleton This is the same as the skeleton RT105, but in a version of 12" inches in height. Made to look old with an "antiquing" process. This is the most convenient size of the three for souvenir type sales. Each figure is hand carved and hand painted and there might be slight design differences to the figure in the photo. Colors: The left figure as pictured Suggested Retail: $14 - $28

RT107V

Standing Skeleton Vanquished This is the same as the skeleton RT107, but in another, more grisly theme. Standing on the skull of a beheaded skeleton. Another Day of the Dead motif. Made to look old with an "antiquing" process. Each figure is hand carved and hand painted and there might be slight design differences to the figure in the photo. Colors: The left figure as pictured Suggested Retail: $14 - $28

RT107G

Standing Skeleton with Guitar Still yet another standing skeleton motif, but a little more happy and musical holding a guitar that is removable. Same as skeleton RT-107g. Very popular. Another Day of the Dead motif. Made to look old with an "antiquing" process. Each figure is hand carved and hand painted and there might be slight design differences to the figure in the photo. Colors: The left figure as pictured Suggested Retail: $14 - $28

RT200

Fine Old Saints (12" and under) These assorted characters are all unique and are hand carved and painted to look like various Saints. These are similar to RT205 except a smaller version. All are made to appear quite old using an antiquing process. The characters are generally dark in color, some religious, some look sanctified, some look funny, some look downright ghoulish. The Virgin Mary is often found in an assortment. Colors: Assorted, darker images and colors Suggested Retail: $28 - $50

RT205

Fine Old Saints (over 12") A larger version of the RT200 often with more detail. All are made to appear quite old using an antiquing process. The characters are generally dark in color, some religious, some look sanctified, some look funny, some look angelic, some look downright ghoulish. The Virgin Mary is often found in this assortment. Colors: Assorted, darker images and colors Suggested Retail: $28 - $50

RT210

Ablaze Guadeloupe (10") Our lady of Guadeloupe is a popular theme in Hispoamerica and this is a fine replica. Flames surround the figurine, wood carved. It looks old and is often dark in color with brightly painted features. The appearance is often crude looking to replicate the old statues found in churches in Hispanoamerica. Made to appear quite old using an antiquing process. Colors: Assorted, darker images often with colorful details Suggested Retail: $15 - $24

RT211

Ablaze Guadeloupe (over 13") Our lady of Guadeloupe in a larger version than RT210. It looks old and is often dark in color with brightly painted features. The appearance is often crude looking to replicate the old statues found in churches in Hispanoamerica. Made to appear quite old using an antiquing process. Colors: Assorted, darker images often with colorful details Suggested Retail: $25 - $45

RT220

Colonial Saints & Angels (24" - 25") A tall finely painted Retablo Saint that resembles several different Saints. Also available as Angels. These come in assorted styles of Saints - St. Francis, St. Anthony, St. Peter and more. The appearance is often crude looking to replicate the old statues found in churches in Hispanoamerica, and they utilize an " antiquing process" to give them a darker color finish so they appear old . Colors: Assorted; Saints and Angels come in greens, blues, red colors with details and a dark finish, some darker than others. Suggested Retail: $70 - $95

RT225

Adorned Saint (14" - 18") A tall finely painted Retablo to resemble a praying Saint (or Jesus?). Slightly smaller than RT220. The appearance is often crude looking to replicate the old statues found in churches in Hispanoamerica. Made to appear quite old using an antiquing process. Colors: Assorted, greens, blues, red colors with details Suggested Retail: $20 - $35

RT275

Standing Angels (12") A winged, trumpeting Angel that is either holding a trumpet forward or upward. The figurine is finely painted and comes in various colors. The appearance is often crude looking to replicate the old statues found in churches in Hispanoamerica. Made to appear quite old using an antiquing process. Colors: Assorted colors with details Suggested Retail: $30 - $40

RT280

Outstretched Angel (11") This Angel is outstretched trumpeting joyously. The coloring is muted to give the Angel an old appearance. The Angel sits in a carved wooden base and has a removable trumpet. Made to appear quite old using an antiquing process. Colors: Lighter grey/brown color with color details Suggested Retail:$25 - $35

RT300

Faux Antique Crucifix (13") Our lady of Guadeloupe in a larger version than RT210. It looks old and is often dark in color with brightly painted features. The appearance is often crude looking to replicate the old statues found in churches in Hispanoamerica. Made to appear quite old using an antiquing process. Colors: Assorted, darker images often with colorful details Suggested Retail: $15 - $25

RT330

Wooden Horse Bookends A hand carved bookend that stands up to 14" tall, durable enough to hold up a large shelf of books. This pine wood bookend is intricately painted and sure to please the equestrian or animal lover in us all. Two sided bookends feature the front and back end of the horse. Very durable. Weight approximately 5 pounds. Colors: Natural or dark pine. Assorted paint schemes Suggested Retail: $45 - $55

RT340

Magazine Racks These magazine racks are made with pine wood and covered with traditional Guatemala cotton fabric. Quality construction make this a sturdy rack that can hold up to 35 magazines, books, cards or whatever needs to be tucked away for later reading. Comes in assorted Guatemalan fabrics. Colors: Natural pine and dark stained wood. Assorted fabrics. Suggested Retail: $20 - $26