17th century Pair of torch-holding angels

early seventeenth century

Pair of torch-holding angels

(2) Gilded and carved wood, height 99 cm

The work in question is a precious pair of polychrome and gilded wooden sculptures, depicting candle-holding angels. This is a type of object that was very widespread in the field of wooden sculpture, but has now largely disappeared, due to the perishability of the material. They were designed to be placed either at the sides of altars or on the choir stalls. The two angels are sculpted in a standing position on a polygonal base with a mixtilinear profile, with decorative scrolls at the corners and a cherub carved on the forehead. The two figures are presented as if intent on holding cornucopias that act as elegant candle-holders. Particular attention was paid to the carving of the clothes, scenographically inflated by the wind in the lower part, so as to reveal the lower limbs, wrapped in high golden sandals. Note that the back also appears carved and still shows traces of the golden polychromy, a sign that the work was intended to be admired from all sides, and not just from the front, as generally happened for similar objects, which were often placed against other liturgical furnishings and therefore with less careful carving on all those parts, hidden from view. Given the taste of the dress, the features of the face with a delicate smile and the carving of the curls that touch the shoulders, the sculpture can be dated to the 17th century. These were works that often required close collaboration between several artists, given that the sculptor was responsible for the conception of the image and its carving, while a painter or decorator was required to do the polychromy and gilding.