Polychrome Vine Column - Burgundy, 16th Century

Rare and spectacular column in carved and polychromed wood, entirely decorated with grapevines, leaves and bunches of grapes in relief.

The column features a twisted shaft at its base, then developing into a succession of bulges adorned with generous bunches and broad grape leaves. Significant traces of ancient polychromy - greens, reds and golds - give the whole an exceptional presence and testify to its great antiquity.

Vineyard decor plays an essential role in the religious and secular iconography of medieval and Renaissance Burgundy. A land of great vineyards, the region developed an ornamental vocabulary from the Middle Ages onwards, in which the vine became a symbol of prosperity and fertility, but also a reference to the Eucharistic wine.

The quality of the carvings, the quality of the decoration and the quality of the workmanship are of the utmost importance.

The quality of the sculpture, the depth of the reliefs and the remarkable survival of polychromy suggest a Burgundian origin around the 16th century.

This column could have been part of a larger architectural decoration: part of an altarpiece, support for an aedicule, decoration for a chapel or prestigious interior.

Beyond its historical interest, today it constitutes a decorative object of great sculptural strength, almost contemporary in its verticality and presence.

Height: 202 cm

Wear, chips and alterations consistent with age. Numerous traces of polychromy preserved (perhaps 19th century). Good overall patina.

We particularly like this column for its extraordinary architectural presence. Laid alone in the corner of a room, it becomes almost a contemporary sculpture. Faded greens, muted reds and worn golds dialogue wonderfully with natural materials: stone, antique oak, waxed concrete or whitewashed walls.

In a country house, a collector's interior or a characterful wine cellar, it immediately adds historical depth and poetry. More than just a decorative element, it's a fragment of ancient architecture that continues to tell the story of wine, land and time.