Antique Carved and Painted (Polychrome) Praying Holy Woman two drawer box and I think in ink

and I think in ink and I might guess crayon

it's been in this black painted wooden frame for a very long time

but the two sides now seem pretty firmly joined

but I don't know for sure

The exterior surface is carved with a grid of nine squares on each side

Antique Carved and Painted (Polychrome) Praying Holy Woman two drawer box and I think in inkI feel holier just looking at this carving, an abbess I want to call her, hands clasped in prayer, and who feels about as devout as they come, and supremely in her devotion. I purchased her from am estate in Chelmsford, Mass, which included a large collection of antique santos carvings, feeling that she would make an exceptionally fine guardian spirit. I also love that she retains traces of true lapis lazuli paint in addition to a little gold still