17th-century niche with 18th-century carvings

17th-century niche with 18th-century carvings.
Carved, gilded, and polychromed pine wood. Glass paste eyes. Silver crown and cross.
Shows signs of wear and restoration.
Electrified.
Measurements: 124 x 70 x 46 cm (shrine); 58 x 26 x 26 cm (carving).

Conceived as a small altarpiece, the niche provides a richly decorative setting for the delicate image of the Infant Jesus. Its architecture is defined by a semicircular arch between pilasters, a molded entablature, and a broad curved cornice. Gilded flowers and plant motifs run along the structure, while a latticework of rhombuses with floral motifs decorates the background and highlights the carving.

The Infant Jesus stands on a base of cherub heads, which in turn rests on a gilded pedestal with a sinuous profile. He wears a blue-green tunic with gold trim, cinched with a cord, and holds a long silver cross while extending his left hand toward the viewer. The slight tilt of his head, the soft modeling of his face, and his glass-paste eyes lend him an intimate expressiveness, reinforced by his rosy complexion and slightly parted lips.

The cross alludes to the future Passion of Christ within a depiction marked by the sweetness of childhood. The combination of polychrome carving, silver elements, and textile appliqués reflects the Baroque taste for enriching sacred images through various materials, enhancing their visual presence and their ability to inspire devotion.