Early 18th Century Carved and Gilded Wooden Mantelpiece, Northern Italy

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An important mantelpiece in finely carved and gold-leaf gilded wood, made in Northern Italy between the late 17th and early … Read more An important mantelpiece in finely carved and gold-leaf gilded wood, made in Northern Italy between the late 17th and early 18th centuries. The strikingly decorative structure retains the taste and richness of 17th-century carving, while also anticipating some early 18th-century elements. The frame features a distinctive architectural shape with a large arched central element flanked by two straight sections. The side jambs are richly decorated with openwork carvings featuring large scrolls, plant and floral elements, while the interior features elegant vertical pendants of leaves, flowers, and fruit. Moldings and ornamental motifs complete the composition. The gold-leaf gilding is particularly pleasing, preserving the natural variations in tone, wear, and patina developed over time. The panel is composed of three distinct elements, according to the traditional arrangement of the period. The mirrors are not original: they were later replaced with antiqued glass, while maintaining the original division of the mirrors. The mantelpiece features restorations, small losses, some minor losses in the preparation, and normal signs of aging. It lacks its original back. The original housing for a decorative element of the cornice, now missing, is visible at the top. The small losses and losses can, upon request, be subject to conservation treatment in our laboratories. Despite some losses and restorations due to the passage of time, the mantelpiece retains a particularly elegant and unusual line, as well as a strong decorative character, enhanced by the quality and richness of the original carving. A particularly scenic object, suitable for placing above a console or fireplace, but also interesting as a standalone element within a contemporary setting. Period: late 17th – early 18th century Origin: Northern Italy Materials: carved and gilded wood with gold leaf; Antique mirrors from a later period. Dimensions: width 155 cm × height 113 cm. See less