Pair Of Large Wooden Ceremonial Angels - Siena, 16th Century

Discover this very rare pair of ceroferial angels from a beautiful Tuscan residence. Carved in wood and polychromed, these angels are an exquisite testament to the 16th-century Siena School. With their carefully crafted details and imposing dimensions (64 x 24 x 14 cm), they add a touch of majesty and spirituality to any interior or collection. Despite some natural wear and minor losses to the polychromy, probably later, these pieces remain in good condition for their age. Their strong presence and old-world charm are a testament to the exceptional craftsmanship of Sienese Renaissance master sculptors. Pair of Cerofir Angels
Siena School, 16th Century
Carved and polychromed wood
Dimensions: 64 x 24 x 14 cm
Good condition reflecting age and use
Some losses, wear to the polychromy

Shipping: Very careful shipping, with packaging appropriate to the fragility of these works of art.

The 16th-century Siena School of sculpture is an important Italian artistic tradition that is part of the long history of Sienese art, renowned for its richness and influence, particularly during the Renaissance.

Context and Influence: The Siena School has its roots in the city of Siena, Tuscany, a region of great artistic importance during the Renaissance. While Florence dominated the art scene with figures such as Michelangelo and Donatello, Siena developed its own distinctive aesthetic, marked by a more ornamental and elegant style. Although the School of Siena is often associated with painting, sculpture also underwent significant development, particularly in the 16th century.

Characteristics of 16th-Century Sienese Sculpture: 16th-century Sienese sculptors continued to develop a style that combined the Gothic elegance of their predecessors with the influence of Renaissance Classicism. Unlike Florentine works, which were often more rigorous and muscular, Sienese sculptures are known for their refinement, expressiveness, and sensitivity to ornamental detail.
Materials and Techniques: Wood was a frequently used material, often polychromed, which allowed for the accentuation of the expressive details of the figures. Sienese sculptors excelled in surface work, giving their works a smooth and meticulously crafted finish.
Themes: Sculptures of the School of Siena often depicted religious subjects, including figures of saints, angels, and the Virgin Mary. Spirituality and devotion permeated these works, aiming to create a strong visual connection with the divine.
Style: The Sienese style of sculpture is distinguished by elongated and graceful forms, with a certain delicacy in postures and facial expressions.
The influence of Late Gothic art remained present in the attention to detail, flowing draperies, and delicately modeled faces.

Sienese 16th-century art saw the emergence of influential sculptors such as Domenico Beccafumi, best known for his painting but who also influenced sculpture with his use of light and color. The transition from Late Gothic to Renaissance Sienese art thus produced a unique synthesis, where medieval spirituality blended with Renaissance humanism.

The School of Siena left a lasting legacy, particularly visible in the preservation of numerous altarpieces, religious statues, and church ornaments throughout Tuscany. Although often less celebrated than that of Florence, the School of Siena is renowned for its singular aesthetic, attention to detail, and continuing influence on religious art in Italy. Today, 16th-century Sienese sculptures are prized for their rarity and beauty, often preserved in museums or private collections.

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