Pair of 19th Century Italian Carved Wood Figures of Cherubs/Putti

This late 19th-century carved wooden sculpture is a lifesize depiction of a young nobleman of the Italian Renaissance. The piece is made entirely from wood and carved gesso under an ebonized finish, giving it the illusion of an oxidized bronze sculpture. The young man is posed in a classic Contrapposto stance, which is an Italian term that means "counterpoise". This term usually refers to a standing human figure carrying its weight on one leg so that the opposite hip rises to produce a relaxed curve in the body, a dynamic pose that is most associated with Renaissance art. He establishes his stance with a hand on his large belt and one hand in the air holding a torch. This Renaissance revival piece is highly detailed through intricate workmanship, down to the Lion of Saint Mark...

From the 1700s through the early 1800s, European aristocrats developed a fascination with ancient Egyptian culture and design that culminated in a full Egyptian Revival. Prominent figures such as Marie Antoinette and Napoleon Bonaparte commissioned rooms decorated with Egyptian motifs. This cultural moment reflects a fascination with a sophisticated civilization of great artists and pharaohs. The Regency era possessed very little knowledge of the Great Pyramids or hieroglyphics, a quality that lent Egyptian art interpretation a compelling air of mystique. This English Regency period gilt carving depicts a popular figure of borrowed Egyptian motif: the Sphinx. Recognized among educated circles as a symbol of brilliance in the ancient past, the Sphinx was well-known as a mythological creature who destroys those who failed to answer her riddle. Such a piece as this, excellent in detail and craftsmanship, may have once graced the mantle of a gentleman’s study or been exchanged as a gift between British scholars. The beautiful gold surface has been achieved by an artful combination of gilt and gesso; the art enthusiast will appreciate the intricate texture realized in the carving’s hair and tail as well as the delicate detailing of the saddle. Borrowing from the Egyptians, the Greeks had their own interpretation of the Sphinx. Greek mythology chronicled the Sphinx as being the daughter of Orthous and Chimera or Laius and attributed the riddles, which she proposed, as having been taught to her by the Muses. Crowned with a Grecian diadem and having a refined expression, she evokes an ancient yet reserved intellect. For the modern-day enthusiast of classical Greek art...

This extraordinary pair of life-size striated salmon pink marble baby giraffe calves have been hand-carved. Both sculptures were diligently carved from a single slab of marble. The s...

A Pair of Circa 1850 Pompeian Neoclassical Patinated Bronze Urns. These beautiful urns have boar's head handles surmounted by double-sided classical male and female mask busts, cast ...

19th century hand carved gold gilt cherub/putti fragment A high-quality hand carved 19th century gold gilt paint over sectioned pine example. This wonderful piece details realistic human features, which suggests it was carved for a special interior section of sorts. Likely to have been part of a larger collective at some point. It would look delightful and highly decorative positioned over a doorway entrance. Size in inches: H 10” x W 15” x D 5” Origin: France Material: Pine Date: 1850 - 1880 Completely solid in structure and form without any breaks. Detail loss across the painted surface as shown. We sell antique...

A fine pair of carved fruit wood busts of young boys, or putti, South Germany, late 19th century. The realistically carved faces showing distinct personalities and intense gazes. Mou...

These antique wall cherub figures were crafted in Italy, circa 1880. The hand carved cherubs are expressive in their movement and feature wonderful movement and facial expressions. The religious sculptures are in excellent condition commensurate with age and use, and adorn a rich walnut patina. The wall hanging figures...

Pair of Rare Japanese carved blackwood Hotei figures on base with glass eyes, with animal and coin bag motif. 19th Century