Two Heads Of Winged Cherubs Carved From Oak—altarpiece Element, 17th Century

Carved oak altarpiece element depicting two winged cherub heads, a 17th-century French piece.

A beautiful antique sculpture in solid oak featuring two cherub faces carved in high relief, set amid their wings and an elaborate decoration of volutes and foliage.

The two figures have particularly expressive features: full faces with rounded cheeks, gazes turned upward, and abundant hair composed of deeply carved locks. The wings intertwine with the plant tendrils and broad scrolls that provide horizontal structure to the composition.

The sculpture retains a beautiful natural oak patina, which particularly highlights the modeling of the faces and the traces left by the sculptor’s work.

The reverse side, left entirely unfinished and worked with hand tools, retains old attachment points. This allows us to identify the work as a piece that was once part of an architectural ensemble or religious furnishings, most likely an altarpiece or a major piece of church woodwork.

The motif of winged cherub heads was highly popular in 17th-century Baroque religious decor, where these elements were used to enliven cornices, entablatures, and the upper sections of altarpieces.

French work, 17th century.

Length: 47 cm

In its original condition with cracks, wear, minor imperfections, and visible losses—particularly at the ends—inherent to the age and former use of this sculpture. Beautiful overall patina.

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