Bidspirit auction | Angel/Winged Putto in Carved Wood

Angel/Winged Putto in Carved Wood – Ligurian (Genoese) Manufacture approx. 56 cm - Exceptional round wooden sculpture, an expression of the highly esteemed Ligurian carving school between the 17th and 18th centuries. The work, originally part of a sacred decorative apparatus (altar or processional chest), embodies the plastic dynamism and formal grace typical of Genoese Baroque. Artistic and Technical Analysis: Ligurian Dynamism: The figure is characterized by a twisted, floating movement, typical of sculptures intended to be viewed from multiple angles within a church. The torsion of the body to the right and the raised left arm suggest that the angel might have held a symbol of the Passion or a candlestick. Plastic Rendering and Faces: The putto's face is carved with extreme sweetness, featuring full cheeks and an upward gaze (ecstasy), elements that recall the sensibility of late 17th-century Genoese workshops. Carving of Wings and Drapery: The wings are rendered with detailed and vibrant plumage. The cloth girding the hips is carved with a depth that enhances the contrast between light and shadow, typical of the school led by followers of Maragliano. Material Condition: The wood shows its natural oxidation and traces of the original gesso preparation, hinting at a once vivid polychromy that has now transformed into a warm and ”lived-in” patina of great antique charm. Technical Sheet: Origin: Liguria (Genoa/Riviera). Material: Carved wood (probably lime or Swiss pine, softwoods favored by Ligurian carvers). Dimensions: Height 56 cm. Period: Circa 1680 - 1720. Condition: Authentic and structurally intact; the absence of most of the polychromy enhances the purity of the sculptural work, despite defects and restorations.