19th century Spanish school

Spanish school of the 19th century.
"Virgin of Carmen".
Carved and polychrome wood. Terracotta child.
With silver crown.
Measurements: 54 x 21 x 20 cm; 3 x 11 x 13 cm (base).
Devotional sculpture conceived to be dressed that represents the Virgin with the Infant Jesus carrying the orb in one of his hands. The presence of the scapular indicates that this is the invocation of the Virgin of Mount Carmel in Israel. According to tradition, during the celebration of Pentecost some of the faithful who were on this mountain were converted to Catholicism after the apparition of the Virgin. There they founded a temple in honour of Mary, the origin of the congregation of the Brothers of St Mary of Mount Carmel, which came to Europe in the 13th century after their persecution in the Holy Land. In 1251, her image is said to have appeared to Saint Simon Stock, superior general of the Order, to whom she gave her habits and the scapular, the main sign of the Carmelite Marian cult. According to tradition, Our Lady promised to free from Purgatory and take to heaven all the souls who wore the scapular during their lifetime, a belief that has been supported by the Popes. Marian devotion to Our Lady of Mount Carmel has spread to many countries in Europe and America, including Spain, Guatemala, Panama, Peru, Colombia, Chile and Argentina. Ours is one of the countries where this devotion is most deeply rooted. The fishermen named the Virgen del Carmelo their faithful protector and, in addition, the Spanish Navy granted her the title of patron saint. For this reason, the Virgen del Carmen is also known as "Stella Maris" ("the star of the seas").