Late 17th–Early 18th Century Italian Carved Walnut Bust of Madonna Addolorata

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Description

Late 17th–Early 18th Century Italian Carved Walnut Bust of the Madonna Addolorata

A deeply expressive Italian carved walnut bust of … Read more Late 17th–Early 18th Century Italian Carved Walnut Bust of the Madonna Addolorata

A deeply expressive Italian carved walnut bust of the Madonna Addolorata (Mater Dolorosa), dating from the late 17th to early 18th century. Carved from a single, massive block of walnut and hollowed from the reverse, this devotional sculpture reflects the emotional intensity and spiritual realism characteristic of the Italian Counter-Reformation. The Virgin is depicted with a serene but sorrowful gaze, framed beneath a voluminous hooded mantle whose broad, sculptural folds typify Italian Baroque carving.

The facial modeling—with its elongated proportions, gently downcast eyes, and finely shaped mouth—strongly aligns with Central and Southern Italian workshop traditions of the period. Unlike the angular, sharply pleated drapery associated with German or Tyrolean religious carving, the sweeping, organic folds and bold tool marks seen here are hallmarks of Italian craftsmanship, particularly from Emilia-Romagna, Umbria, and the Neapolitan regions. The walnut has developed a rich, dark patina, further enhanced by centuries of devotional use and exposure to candlelight. At the neckline appears a beaded medallion, likely referencing a rosary or small reliquary ornament.

Busts of this scale were typically displayed on private altars, Passion tableaux, or within chapels dedicated to the Virgin’s sorrows, making this an evocative survival of Baroque religious art.

Period / Origin
Italy, Late 17th–Early 18th Century
Carved Walnut

Measurements
16" H × 16" W × 8" D

Condition
Expected age cracks, scattered losses to the lower drapery, and historical insect wear at the base. The interior retains original adze and gouge marks, confirming hand-carving from a single block. Surface with a rich, untouched patina. Structurally stable and visually powerful. See less