Although it is difficult to ascertain exactly which saint would have been represented by most saint heads detached from the body, the head of Jesus Christ is more recognizable. This and all of the saint heads we have were at one time attached to the top of a frame dressed with real clothing, unlike the smaller figures which were carved entirely of wood or papier mache. Over time the clothing deteriorated and was removed. In some cases the clothing might have been replaced but in others the entire figure might have been discarded although the heads and hands, having been expertly carved and highly appreciated would have been kept, possibly still as components of the altar which previously featured the figure from which the saint head was removed.
Most Asians, all across the continent, have private shrines in their homes. Since Buddhism is the most common religion in Asia, most of those shrines are Buddhist. But in the relatively small percentage which are Catholic, notably in Vietnam, those Catholics have Christian shrines in their homes. Most of the Catholic paraphernalia we have come from shrines like those. Among the many component parts of a Christian shrine are figures representing saints important to the occupants of the house. These saint figures come from private Catholic shrines in Vietnam. They vary in age. Some could be relatively new, though we believe most date at least as far back as the mid-20th century. Some could me as old as the late 19th century. But in any case, all were made for use in private Vietnamese shrines in their homes, not for sale outside of Vietnam.
