High-period Syle Mercy Seat Carved With A Cherub Late 17th Century Early 18th Century

A MISERICORD IS A SMALL WOODEN CONSOLE ATTACHED UNDER THE LIFTING SEAT OF A CHAIR IN A CHURCH, IT ALLOWED MONKS OR CANONS TO DISCREETLY LEAN ON THIS CONSOLE DURING LONG RELIGIOUS SERVICES IN WHICH THEY WERE REQUIRED TO REMAIN STANDING.

THE MISERICORD SHOWN HERE IS A HANDCRAFTED PIECE OF EXCEPTIONAL QUALITY FROM THE LATE 17TH TO THE VERY EARLY 18TH CENTURY,  
THE BAROQUE STYLE OF THE CHERUB, WITH A VERY CHUBBY FACE AND ROUND CHEEKS (CHARACTERISTIC OF
BAROQUE PUTTI)  THE VERY EXPRESSIVE EYES LOOKING UPWARD WITH WELL-DEFINED EYELIDS AND, ABOVE ALL, THE DYNAMIC HAIR SCULPTED INTO LONG, SPIRAL-SHAPED VOLUTESPICQUES OF THE SECOND HALF OF THE 17TH CENTURY,THE WINGS, VERY FINELY SCULPTED, WHICH FRAME THE FACE, ENHANCE THE THEATRICAL AND WARM STYLE OF RELIGIOUS BAROQUE ART.

THE MISERICORD, REMOVED FROM ITS PULPIT, IS FASTENED TO AN ANTIQUE PANEL WITH FORGED NAILS