Circa 1650 Carved Hardwood Figural Cornucopia Statue From Italy

Description

This remarkable carved wooden statue is approximately 380 years old and was carved from Italian Rovere or Durmast wood. This … more This remarkable carved wooden statue is approximately 380 years old and was carved from Italian Rovere or Durmast wood. This is a variety of European oak known for its tough and heavy nature. The statue depicts a robed figure holding a cornucopia which also acts a candlestick holder. The cornucopia is an ancient symbol associated with abundance and wealth. First seen held by gods of Greece and Rome, the cornucopia was brought back in the early Renaissance, and it can be seen in paintings and statues from Western Europe for the past several hundred years.
This statue has a wonderful and heavy old character with evidence of expansion and contraction to the wood over the centuries. Nonetheless, we are able to see the figure has a calm and pleasant demeanor, looking up and to his left. The flowing hair, multiple folds in the robe, and overall proportion tell us it was executed by a very skilled carver. At just over 3.5 feet tall, this statue will make quite a statement on any table surface or pedestal. Since the cornucopia is also a candlestick holder, it can also be used as torchère. less