Late 19th Century Italian Folk Art Moors Heads Sculptures in Papier-Mâché, Set of 2

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A pair of papier-mâché Moorish Heads from Southern Italy, dating back to the late 19th century, depict two theatrical male … Read more A pair of papier-mâché Moorish Heads from Southern Italy, dating back to the late 19th century, depict two theatrical male figures wearing turbans in shades of blue and orange/red terracotta. They are crafted in the style of traditional Saracen Moorish heads or exotic characters from the Commedia dell'Arte and Italian nativity scenes/popular theater. These stunning antique painted papier-mâché sculptures are originals from the late 19th century and feature an exaggerated theatrical expression, characterized by wide-open eyes with well-defined dark irises and a gaping mouth in a deep cavity, typical of sculptures intended for fountains, gunpowder pipes, puppets, or acoustic/stage decorative elements. They are modeled in papier-mâché on a hollow frame. The surface reveals an irregular, porous, and layered texture, with evident signs of aging, cracks, and small peelings in the pigment. The head on the left has a pale complexion, tending toward golden ochre and tuff yellow, with painted details on the facial features and the orange and navy blue turban. The one on the right has a dark, anthropomorphic gray/chalk brown complexion, with the lip line highlighted in red and a strong color contrast between the skin and the turban. Both sculptures rest on a square wooden base that serves as an integrated pedestal. They display an authentic period patina, with evident wear along the edges of the torso and along the folds of the papier-mâché.
Period: Late 19th century
Height: 31 cm
Width: 25 cm
Depth: 23 cm See less