18th-century Carved Wooden Figure Depicting Saint Peter; Convent Craftsmanship; Devotional Item

18th-century paper cutout depicting Saint Peter, convent craftsmanship, devotional art

A remarkable religious paper cutout dating from the 18th century, made entirely of cut and perforated paper, showcasing the great finesse of this folk and devotional art form.

Canivets are delicate devotional works crafted from a single sheet of paper, meticulously cut by hand using a pocket knife or an instrument with a very fine blade. This technique, which flourished particularly in monastic circles and devotional practices during the 17th and 18th centuries, made it possible to create true paper lace. The compositions could combine cutouts, gouache paintings, floral motifs, and depictions of saints. Due to their extreme fragility, only a relatively small number of these works have survived to the present day.

At the center of this composition is a gouache medallion depicting Saint Peter, identifiable by the speech bubble placed beneath his effigy, bearing the Latin inscription “S. Petrus.”

The medallion is framed by a rich, entirely openwork decoration composed of floral and plant motifs, delicately enhanced with gouache. The finesse and uniformity of the cutouts attest to particularly meticulous craftsmanship, with every detail executed with great care.

The piece as a whole displays exceptional delicacy of execution, characteristic of these fragile devotional works on paper. Despite their extreme fragility, the cutouts here are remarkably well-preserved, and the work is in perfect condition.

A rare and particularly refined piece, elegantly illustrating the art of paper cutting and the practice of private devotion in the 18th century.

Dimensions: 12 × 17 cm

Price excludes shipping costs

Police Registry Ref.: A207

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