An exceptional 18th century Iberian Baroque tabernacle, finely carved in wood with polychrome and gilt decoration. The piece features a richly sculptural oval body surrounded by scrolling Baroque ornamentation and numerous carved cherub and angel heads, each retaining traces of original painted detail in red, blue, cream and gilt tones.
The front door is decorated with the sacred IHS Christogram, a cross and raised architectural elements, emphasizing its original ecclesiastical function as a Eucharistic tabernacle or sacrarium. The reverse opens to reveal an oval interior, later lined in deep blue fabric, making the piece suitable today as a highly decorative religious object, display cabinet or collector’s ecclesiastical artwork.
The surface shows beautiful age-related patina, with losses to gilding and polychromy, old wear, cracks, small chips, oxidized metal hinge elements and evidence of historical use. These signs of age contribute greatly to the authenticity and visual character of the piece.
A rare and impressive example of 18th century religious Baroque wood carving...
Category
Early 18th Century Portuguese Baroque Antique Porto