Pair Of Baroque Carved Giltwood Cherubs, Italy / Spain, Circa 1600

A pair of European carved giltwood cherubs or cherubs, hands tied behind their backs, probably Italy, Spain (possibly southern France), circa 1580–1630. Carved in an early religious Baroque style.

Very good overall condition, slightly worn (unrestored) old gilding, some cracks in the woodwork due to age. Gold leaf gilding on carved wood was an extremely widespread practice in altarpieces and church decorations.

Expressive, gilded kneeling cherubs, the treatment of the bodies (full forms, soft hair, soft expression) rather evokes the late Renaissance or early Baroque (therefore between the end of the 16th and the beginning of the 17th century) with particular attention to the movement of the body and the tenderness of the features.

The rather realistic appearance, but without decorative overload (no visible wings, no exaggerated drapery), may suggest a Baroque art of Spanish or Italian, rather for a local church commission.

In European religious art (Renaissance and Baroque in particular), sculptures of kneeling cherubs or putti with tied hands are rather rare and often symbolize captured innocence or voluntary submission to God. They can also represent the "captivity of sin", or in some church settings, an image of "humility and sacrifice". Depending on the original placement of these figures, for example under an altar or in a staging of the "Passion of Christ"), they would have accompanied scenes of suffering or redemption.

Cherubs, cupids, putti or cherubs?
This is debatable...

• Angelot: Small winged child, often naked, symbol of innocence or divine presence, used in European religious or decorative art.

• Cupid: In art, figure of a winged child inspired by Eros, representing profane or romantic love, notably in Renaissance sculpture and painting.

• Putti: Naked children, sometimes winged, joyful or symbolic decorative figures in Italian Renaissance and Baroque art.

• Cherub: Celestial being from the biblical tradition, often represented in sculpture by a child's head surrounded by wings, symbol of the divine presence.

Packaging and delivery costs to be expected:
Pick-up: Free.
For Belgium: €30.
For France: €50.
For Europe: €80.
For the rest of the world: €300.