South Germany Or Austria - Dancing Angels From The Baroque Period, Early 18th Century

SOUTHERN GERMANY or AUSTRIA (Sculpture workshops), First half of the 18th century. Baroque period - Pair of large statuettes in the round forming a pendant made of polychrome painted and partially gilded linden wood depicting full-length, captured in a gesture of tender piety, one hand pressed to their chest, two juvenile cherubs dressed and shod in the Antique style sketching a dance step. Former decorative element of a piece of furniture for liturgical purposes. Later base added. Anonymous work from the Baroque period of the first half of the 18th century, comparable to the sculptural creations of Johann Franz Schwanthaler (1683-1762) or Ignaz Gunther (1725-1775).

ANGELIQUE PAS -DE -DEUX- Animated by a sort of inner joy, this duo of juvenile Cherubs, with a nervous and fine silhouette sculpted with refinement, attracts with its remarkable grace. Shod in Antique-style crepides, dressed in flowing and short tunics baring one of their shoulders, revealing the firm curve of their legs, they seem to sketch, - knee bent, one of their heels raised, - a dancing step; this most graceful choreographed movement, subtly underlined by swirling drapery encircling their hips, is underpinned by their posture - bust tilting backward, head carriage noticeably inclined - marked by a slight contrapposto. One hand holding the twirling stole with its deep folds, the other firmly pressed on the chest in a gesture evoking in turn reverence and adoration, these statuettes designed as pendants exalt a gentle piety. Turned towards each other, their beautiful faces with fine features surrounded by curly hair, with suspended gazes expressing benevolence and serenity. Depicted full-length, these dancing Messengers would probably have adorned, flanked the entablature, the canopy of an Altar or High Altar or crowned the side turrets of a Great Organ in a religious building. Of unknown provenance, this very attractive Pair of Angels imbued with a restrained Baroque flavor presents certain stylistic affinities - notably in the delicate treatment of the faces, the silhouette with its robust and nervous limbs or the elegant movement given to the draperies - with the sculptural tradition of the northern Rococo as embodied by Johann Franz Schwanthaler (1683-1762) or Ignaz Gunther (1725-1775), sculptors-decorators of religious buildings but also of Palaces and aristocratic residences. An Angelic and charming Pas-de-Deux to invite into your home for a decorative effect as elegant as it is unusual.

Materials: Carved linden wood, painted in polychrome and partially gilded. Dimensions: H.: 63 cm.
South Germany or Austria (Sculpture School of) - Anonymous work from the Baroque period of the first half of the 18th century. Beautiful original condition. Minor signs of wear due to age. Minor material losses. Bases subsequently added.