Great 17th-century Wooden Sculpture, Saint Catherine Of Alexandria

An antique Italian wooden sculpture from the first half of the17th century, depicting Saint Catherine of Alexandria. Finely carvedand carved in Swiss pine, this full-length work features a pleasingpatina and a remarkable stage presence.

The young saint is depicted standing, elegantly dressed in a longrobe gathered at the waist by a loose drape, while a cloak envelopsthe figure and falls freely along her side. Her right hand is raisedin a refined and highly distinctive gesture, likely originallyintended to hold a now-lost attribute, perhaps the palm of martyrdom.With her opposite hand, the figure holds a long vertical element,likely the remains of a cogwheel, one of the iconographic attributesof the Saint, a reminder of the torture to which, according totradition, she was subjected before beheading.

The quality of the carving is particularly noteworthy. The face,youthful and idealized, features graceful features and a thoughtfulexpression, while the hair is gathered at the nape of the neck insoft, wavy locks. The rendering of the hands is remarkable, withlong, distinctly carved fingers. Great attention is also paid to thedrapery: from the minute folds of the upper garment, they move to thelarge masses of fabric gathered around the waist and the longdiagonal pleat that animates the lower half of the figure, lending itmovement and depth.

The pose of the figure, combined with the elegance of the drapery,suggests a placement within the context of central-northern Italiansculpture between the late Renaissance and early Baroque, withpossible references to Lombardy-Piedmontese production.

Particularly significant is the back, sculpted only in the partsintended to remain visible and left more roughly worked in the largecentral areas. This characteristic suggests that the statue was notoriginally conceived as a free-standing sculpture in the round, butwas part of a more elaborate ecclesiastical apparatus, likelyinserted within a niche.

The surface today is predominantly natural wood, with a pleasantpatina matured over time. There are signs of aging, cracks, and smalllosses consistent with the piece's age. Some iconographic featuresare lost or incomplete (see photo).

A sculpture of considerable charm, appreciated both for theelegance of the figure and the decorative power of the antique woodand its weathered surface. This work is particularly suited to aclassical setting, but it can also be placed to great effect in acontemporary setting, where the simplicity of the natural patinaparticularly highlights the sculptural quality of the carving.

As each of our products it willbe accompanied by a certificate of authenticity and guarantee with photographic documentation. Visit our website www.parino.it, free shipping throughout Europe in costum-made wooden crates. Buy in installments without interest.