PAIR OF RELIEFS; GROTESQUE OR CANDELIERI. POLICHROMED AND GILDED WOOD. 16TH CENTURY.
Antiques - Sculpture
Reference: ZE238
Pair of reliefs; grotesques or candelabra. Carved, polychrome and gilded wood. 16th century. A pair of reliefs made of hand-carved, gilded, and polychromed wood, each depicting a winged cherub's head (or putti) positioned on a vertical element that serves as the axis of symmetry for the relief's composition. The remaining motifs include scrolled leaves, floral and vegetal details, interlacing patterns, and moldings, all clearly influenced by classical art. The background is devoid of any decorative elements, either carved or painted, thus allowing the aforementioned elements to take center stage. These types of compositions were very common during the Renaissance throughout Europe, as the "fashion" for grotesques spread from Italy. Compare, for example, with the frieze depicted in an image from Diego de Sagredo's work entitled "Medidas del Romano" (1526, Toledo); details from the Chapel of Santa Librada in Sigüenza Cathedral by Francisco de Baeza (circa 1520); others from the façade of the Escuelas Mayores of the University of Salamanca; the main altarpiece of the Collegiate Church of Torrijos (Toledo), commissioned in 1558 from Juan Correa de Vivar; etc. It should be noted that these decorative motifs would have a long tradition in Spanish art. It is quite possible that the present relief plaque was created to form part of an altar in a church even though it is not decorated with a religious theme (note that the theme of the “winged heads”, often called “putti”, also comes from Italy and is found in both civil and religious works).
· Size: 14x5x22 cms.
1.200 €
