18th Century Carved French Oak Overdoor with Cartouche

Hand-carved from oak in the 1600s, this French cartouche panel consists of thick, beautiful decorative motifs surrounding a central portrait of a fair...

This large and attractive architectural piece is known as a pulpit canopy. Before the advent of microphones and speakers, orators would often address assemblies from elevated platforms known as “wine glass pulpits”. These podiums featured domed roofs called abat-voix, sometimes known as sounding boards, that would project sound outwards. Our walnut wood pulpit canopy is a fine example of such a device. Hand-carved and hand-painted in Italy in the 1700’s, our abat-voix is roughly octagonal in shape. Each of the sides have edges with luxuriously thick step molding, alternating between stained and gilded wood. Each of the corner cornices are adorned with gilded flower carvings, although some are missing. The interior of the canopy features a gilded open sun with sinuous rays emanating all around. Each of the sides are adorned with foliate margents surrounded by scrolls, again with some losses. All the edges are bordered with a thin layer of gilding. Although our fascinating 18th century Italian walnut pulpit canopy was designed for a church pulpit...

Beautiful pair 18th century neoclassical carved oak ornaments. France circa 1780. Weathered, small losses and old repairs. Measurements are individual and include the wooden base.

Wonderful antique pediment. Solid oak, probably late nineteenth century. This piece has been professionally cleaned/ stripped of old paint and then o...