Santiago Matamoros

Santiago Matamoros (Knight on horseback in helmet; sword raised in right hand; left hand holds reins; red cape, yellow shirt, blue breeches, black boots).

The figure rides on an andas (carrying platform). Face has a greenish sheen. Hands are in good condition. The sword is tied onto the hand. The horse is white and has a cocked head and alert expression; it is painted wood with braided rope harness, leather saddle, metal stirrups, and real hair for forelock and tail; newer it is than the saint. Santiago is the patron saint of the parish. The position of the hands, shape of the beard, gentle expression of the face, and the downcast eyes suggest the statue was originally a Palm Sunday Christ, though the mount is definitely not an ass. Moreover, it is too small for the horse, and the feet do not fit in the stirrups.

The helmet is too small for the head. The cape is velvet and the tunic and pants are polyester brocade. Woven into the brocade of the pants are the words "Pater, Filius, Spiritus Sanctus" and the symbols of the Trinity. This same fabric appears in purple and in red in the chasubles of the two statues of San Pedro Apostol at Teotitlan. The informant says the horse and statue are carried in a procession on January 25.

The andas appears to be of a different maker than the statue. There is a folk feeling to the painted flower and leaf design of blue on a red background. The andas is trimmed in yellow and has four green turned legs.

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