Rare and Important Pair of Italian 18th Century Giltwood Four-Arm Sconces
£3,995.00
Description
An exceptionally rare and imposing architectural wall bracket, masterfully hewn from solid French oak and sourced from a traditional convent in France. This monumental piece is of substantial weight and scale, originally designed to serve as a structural support for a large devotional saint. The bracket exhibits a powerful, deep-bellied silhouette with a dramatic s-scroll, terminating in a solid, squared platform and a robustly turned pendant finial.
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Delivery Leadtime
International delivery is estimated at 5-7 working days.
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Rare and Important Pair of Italian 18th Century Giltwood Four-Arm Sconces
An exceptionally rare and imposing pair of Italian 18th-century giltwood wall sconces, masterfully hand-carved during the late Baroque to early Neoclassical transition. These wall lights are characterised by their rare four-arm configuration, a significant departure from the more common two or three-arm models.
The four elegantly up-scrolled branches emerge from a central cartouche, terminating in finely carved drip pans and nozzles. Retaining layers of authentic gold leaf, the surfaces display a complex, "honeyed" patina and visible red bole, offering a living warmth that only centuries of age can produce.
Originating from Italy, likely the Venetian or Lombardy regions circa 1780, these sconces were originally commissioned for grand aristocratic palazzos or sacred ecclesiastical settings. Italian giltwood from this period served as a primary language of power and devotion, designed to capture and amplify flickering candlelight across opulent drawing rooms.
While their exact villa of origin is often lost to time, their scale and four-light design suggest they were part of a major decorative scheme, possibly flanking large-scale mirrors or tapestries in a formal salone.
Dealer’s Comments
"The rarity of a genuine pair of four-arm sconces from this period cannot be overstated. Most survivors are smaller two-branch models; to find a matched pair with this level of sculptural ambition is a find for the serious collector. While they bear various historical repairs, entirely expected for 250-year-old carved wood and gesso, these interventions only add to their narrative and structural integrity. They possess a 'grand tour' gravitas that instantly anchors a room, bridging the gap between historical importance and modern decorative appeal."
Condition Report
Good antique condition with various historical repairs to the gesso and carved elements. Minor losses and age separations commensurate with age.
Designed to be wall-mounted; currently configured for traditional candles.
Measurement
Height:Â Â Â Â Â Â 37 cm /Â Â Â 14.6 inch
Width:Â Â Â Â Â Â Â 62 cm /Â Â Â 24.4 inch
Depth:Â Â Â Â Â Â Â 18 cm /Â Â Â 7.1 inch
Weight:Â Â Â Â Â Â 1.6 k.g. /Â Â 3.5 lbs
Cleaning, Polishing & Restoration
All our collections have been through our workshop and where possible, we always try to maintain the original finish preserving the patina and colour, some items are sympathetically restored and this is done by our own skilled craftsmen using only traditional methods
