I've seen a few "fotoescultura" pieces in collections, and auctions, but I've never found one myself and must say that this one featuring a couple on their wedding day is about my favorite I've seen.
From the website of the Met Museum: "Fotoescultura is a Mexican folk art form that flourished from the late 1920s through the early 1980s. Often commissioned by traveling salesmen to honor individuals, commemorate important events, or memorialize the dead, fotoesculturas typically consist of a hand-tinted portrait photograph, trimmed and adhered to a carved mount of the same shape and surrounded by an elaborate wooden frame. Sold primarily in Mexico as well as in Mexican-American communities in Houston and Chicago, fotoesculturas were particularly popular during and after World War II, when families were anxious to memorialize absent sons, brothers, and fathers."
I believe this one dates to the 1950s-60s, based on comparison with others (including a solo portrait from the collection of Barbara Levine that realized $ 1,875 in a vernacular photography auction at Swann- here.) Originally there would have been a plate of glass behind them, held in place by tacks (one tack remains.) Unusual from what I have seen to incorporate an actual textile in the form of her veil--and it seems likely once a piece of fabric for his tie as well--quite possibly clipped from their actual wedding day attire.
12 1/4 t x 14 3/8 w x 4” d overall. Apart from his likely missing tie, in very good condition, with very very minimal spotting/wear to the photos and no damage to the hand-carved frame.
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