Bidspirit auction | Pr Italian Painted Giltwood Blackamoor

Pr Italian Painted Giltwood Blackamoor Torcheres - Pair of Italian polychrome and carved giltwood blackamoor torcheres, 19th century. The figures don striped head coverings and gilt adorned garments decorated with plumed detailing. Atop rounded bases with downswept scrollwork legs. Provenance: Partridge Fine Arts Ltd., London, June 8, 1988; The Distinguished Collection of Leo & Doris Hodroff. (Each) Height: 56 1/2 in x width: 15 in x depth: 11 1/2 in. Condition: The statues are structurally sound and stable. There are scattered small to large losses to the wood, primarily along high points and the extreme edges. There are scattered cracks and splits forming in the wood throughout; to one of the statues, there is a large vertical split along the front of the figure's body beginning at the apex of the headscarf and extending downward to the edge of the skirt. To the other statue, there is a vertical split along the verso of the figure's skirt. There are scattered signs of possible repair or restoration. There are scattered losses to the gilt and pigment throughout; the pigment is brittle and at risk of further losses. Dust gathered along recessed areas. Heavy wear to the feet commensurate with age and use.