"Pair Of Grotesque Masks With Dionysian Attributes In The Mannerist Style, Carved Wood"
A pair of mascarons depicting grotesque, grimacing heads, reminiscent of the iconography of woodland deities such as fauns, forming brackets. Their profiles feature volutes, and their faces are framed by vine tendrils, confirming the Dionysian dimension of these ornamental elements, which were probably originally furniture pieces. The work is very clearly in the style of the Mannerist Renaissance, particularly Tuscan-Roman, which we cautiously date to the 19th century, but quite possibly earlier. We note a few discreet losses and traces of woodworm; the wood is otherwise perfectly sound. Beautiful patina, very expressive and dynamic modeling. 
Le Magazine de PROANTIC
TRÉSORS Magazine
Rivista Artiquariato