17th Century, Pair Of Pilasters

17th century

Pair of pilasters

Gilded and painted wood, height 130 cm

This rare pair of gilded and painted wooden pilasters, dating from the 17th century, is an example of exceptional originality and sculptural vigor within the context of Baroque interior architectural decoration. The object stands out for a compositional layout that moves beyond the traditional purely structural function of the architectural order to become a narrative sculpture: the verticality is punctuated by an overlapping of highly captivating symbolic and ornamental elements, where the gold leaf gilding interacts with a polychromy that remains vivid in the flesh tones of the cherubs and the fleshy fruits. In the upper section, the artifact’s originality lies in the inclusion of winged cherub faces, whose soft features and serene expressions seem to emerge directly from the gilded volutes, lending an almost spiritual and dynamic character to the whole. Moving down the shaft, the decoration is enriched by a refined bow-shaped knot, rendered with sculptural drapery that serves as a transition to a rich festooned garland of fruits and leaves in the lower section, an element that evokes the symbolism of abundance and prosperity.