Mascaron With The Head Of A Laughing Faun, 17th Century Marble

Total height: 47 cm Marble dimensions: H: 37 - L: 26 - D: 12 cm Beautiful bas-relief sculpture in white marble. Probably Italy or France 17th century, presented on a blackened steel base and representing the figure of a laughing faun. In architecture, a mascaron (comes from the Italian Mascharone, buffoonery) is an ornament generally representing a human figure, sometimes frightening, whose apotropaic function was, originally, to ward off evil spirits so that they do not enter in the residence. They are often affixed to the key of the arches of windows or doors or on lintels, or even on a modillon. Beautiful state of conservation. Sold with certificate.