Late 19th c. wooden Madonna figure with symbolic robe

A serene and sculptural wooden Madonna (or saintly figure), carved from light wood in the late 19th century and originally painted in rich colors with a lacquered finish. Over the decades, the surface has faded, and the lacquer now peels softly — leaving behind a warm, timeworn patina that gives her a haunting, sacred beauty.

The robe is adorned with deeply incised circular motifs, suggestive of spiritual symbolism — stars, spirals, and foliate forms. A small metal hook on the back indicates she was once wall-mounted, likely in a devotional niche or domestic altar. Her gentle pose and stylised face evoke a sense of quiet reverence.

Her exact origin remains unknown, but the craftsmanship and form point to European folk religious tradition — and possibly a one-of-a-kind piece made for private devotion. A truly soulful survivor of another time.