Items Similar to A Rare French Carved Architectural Fragment: Baroque Putto Head from Rouen Cathe

Italian Renaissance Carved Wooden Angel Head

18th Century Angel's Head Sculpture Handcarved in Wood

17th Century Carved Wooden Angel Cherub

Antique Carved Oak Cherub Head Wall Hanging

French 16th/ 17th Century Weathered Oak Renaissance Angel Fragment

French, 17th / 18th Century Carved Stone Angel Head Ornament

Want more images or videos?

Request additional images or videos from the seller

1 of 18

A Rare French Carved Architectural Fragment: Baroque Putto Head from Rouen Cathe

$3,030.04

£2,250

€2,608.61

CA$4,223.82

A$4,597.44

CHF 2,421.70

MX$55,962.61

NOK 30,325.39

SEK 28,470.07

DKK 19,481.24

About the Item

A Fine Example of Continental Ecclesiastical Iconoclasm This exceptionally rare and characterful wooden fragment is a powerful testament to the turbulent religious and political history of France. Dating to the Late 17th or Early 18th Century (c. 1680–1730), this beautifully carved putto head likely formed part of the interior liturgical decoration of the historic Notre-Dame Cathedral in Rouen, Normandy. The piece embodies the exuberant spirit of the Baroque period, rendered in fine, deep relief. The Carving: The fragment depicts the head of a putto (cherub), meticulously carved in the round before being attached to a larger piece of architecture, such as an organ case, a choir stall canopy, or a retable (altarpiece). The carving captures the classical Baroque style, with puffy cheeks, deeply set eyes, and a mass of tightly curled, voluminous hair. The face exudes a spiritual, cherubic intensity typical of the period's religious sculpture. Material & Condition (Patina): Carved from a dense, medium-hardwood (likely oak), the fragment has a profoundly evocative, untreated surface. The original polychromy (paint and gilding) has long since been lost, leaving a deep, dark, and desiccated patina, with visible commensurate age separations (cracks and splits) that speak to centuries of exposure and neglect after its removal. This raw, sculptural quality is highly prized by collectors of architectural fragments. Provenance & Historical Context While no direct documentation of the carving exists, its style, date, and condition point strongly to one of the most significant periods of destruction at a major French cathedral: The French Revolution (c. 1792–1795): The physical state of the fragment—forcibly broken from a larger element and stripped of its ornamentation—is perfectly consistent with the widespread anti-clerical iconoclasm of the revolutionary era. The former Cathedral of Rouen was secularized and temporarily transformed into a "Temple of Reason." During this upheaval, wooden fixtures, fittings, and statuary were often hastily destroyed, sold, or broken up, leaving fragments like this to be preserved outside the official records. This fragment is not merely a decorative piece; it is a historical relic—a powerful, tangible survival of a moment of profound political and religious transformation in France. It offers a unique opportunity to own a piece of the physical fabric of a European masterpiece, now recognised as one of the most celebrated Gothic cathedrals in the world. Condition Report Condition is entirely commensurate with its 17th/18th-century date and history of being forcibly removed/salvaged. The piece retains a deep, dark, natural patina of the raw wood. No trace of original paint or gilding remains. Numerous, stable age separations (splits and checking) run along the wood grain, most notably through the face and head. These are typical of antique wood and do not compromise the structural stability. Measurement Height: 56 cm / 22 inches Width: 20 cm / 7.9 inches Depth: 20 cm / 7.9 inches Weight: 3.6 k.g / 7.9 lbs

Dimensions:

Height: 22 in (55.88 cm)Width: 7.9 in (20.07 cm)Depth: 7.9 in (20.07 cm)

Materials and Techniques:

Wood,Hand-Carved

Place of Origin:

France

Period:

18th Century

Date of Manufacture:

1730

Condition:

Wear consistent with age and use.

Seller Location:

Lincoln, GB

Reference Number:

Seller: 112111stDibs: LU7210247211612

More From This Seller

View All

Antique Carved Oak Cherub Head Wall Hanging

Located in Lincoln, GB

Exquisite Antique Carved Oak Cherub Head Wall Hanging is a stunning representation of craftsmanship from a bygone era, likely once part of a larger decorative ensemble. The piece sh...

Category

Antique 19th Century Figurative Sculptures

Materials

Wood

Antique Carved Oak Cherub Head Wall Hanging

$329

18th Century Carved Wood Panel – Polychrome Head Of Cherub – Putto

Located in Lincoln, GB

Description 18th Century Carved Wood Panel – Polychrome Head Of Cherub – Putto Magnificent decorative panel from an altarpiece in carved polychrome w...

Category

Antique 18th Century Figurative Sculptures

Materials

Wood

18th Century Carved Wood Panel – Polychrome Head Of Cherub – Putto

$1,144

18th Century Baroque Giltwood Putto – Hand-Carved & Painted Antique Cherub

Located in Lincoln, GB

18th Century Baroque Giltwood Putto – Hand-Carved & Painted Antique Cherub This remarkable 18th century Baroque giltwood putto is a fine example of ecclesiastical art from the late ...

Category

Antique 18th Century Figurative Sculptures

Materials

Wood

18th Century Baroque Giltwood Putto – Hand-Carved & Painted Antique Cherub

$2,013

18th-Century Carved Wooden Head of a Philosopher / Religious Figure

Located in Lincoln, GB

18th-Century Carved Wooden Head of a Philosopher / Religious Figure This finely carved wooden head dates to the 18th century and likely represents a philosopher / religious figure. It reflects the stylistic traditions of Flemish and German woodcarving from the Renaissance period, renowned for their expressive realism and meticulous detail. Such works often formed parts of larger altarpieces, devotional sculptures, or decorative ensembles within ecclesiastical settings. The sculptor’s craftsmanship is evident in the finely rendered facial features, intricately carved beard, and textured hair—hallmarks of Northern European wood carving...

Category

Antique 18th Century Busts

Materials

Wood

18th-Century Carved Wooden Head of a Philosopher / Religious Figure

$666

Fine 18th Century Indian Carved Hardwood Architectural Fragment Featuring a Nobl

Located in Lincoln, GB

Fine 18th Century Indian Carved Hardwood Architectural Fragment Featuring a Noble Figure A superb and richly detailed hand-carved hardwood architectural fragment, likely originating...

Category

Antique 18th Century Figurative Sculptures

Materials

Wood

Fine 18th Century Indian Carved Hardwood Architectural Fragment Featuring a Nobl

$336

17th Century Italian Polychrome Painted Terracotta Jesus Child Putto Figure

Located in Lincoln, GB

Exquisite product is a polychromed, hand painted terracotta figure that beautifully depicts Baby Jesus. The attention to detail is evident in the figure's glass eyes, which add a lif...

Category

Antique 17th Century Italian Figurative Sculptures

Materials

Terracotta

17th Century Italian Polychrome Painted Terracotta Jesus Child Putto Figure

$1,205

Antique 15th Century and Earlier Italian Renaissance Figurative Sculptures

Materials

Wood

Italian Renaissance Carved Wooden Angel Head

$1,800

18th Century Angel's Head Sculpture Handcarved in Wood

Located in Marbella, ES

18th century Angel's head sculpture handcarved in wood.

Category

Antique Mid-18th Century Spanish Busts

Materials

Wood

18th Century Angel's Head Sculpture Handcarved in Wood

$1,540

17th Century Carved Wooden Angel Cherub

Located in Bilzen, BE

17th Century Carved Wooden Angel Cherub (oak) with its original polychromes Height 14 cm, width 21 cm

Category

Antique 17th Century French Baroque Religious Items

Materials

Wood

17th Century Carved Wooden Angel Cherub

$793

French 16th/ 17th Century Weathered Oak Renaissance Angel Fragment

Located in Buisson, FR

Beautiful weathered oak winged angel head Renaissance ornament. France, 16/ 17th century. Weathered Measurements include the wooden pedestal.

Category

Antique 16th Century French Renaissance Figurative Sculptures

Materials

Oak

French 16th/ 17th Century Weathered Oak Renaissance Angel Fragment

$266 Sale Price

47% Off

French, 17th / 18th Century Carved Stone Angel Head Ornament

Located in Buisson, FR

Beautiful weathered hand carved stone angel head ornament that once adorned a facade. France, circa 1650-1750. Weathered. Measurement includes the wooden base.

Category

Antique 18th Century French Baroque Architectural Elements

Materials

Stone

French, 17th / 18th Century Carved Stone Angel Head Ornament

$503 Sale Price

51% Off

An 18th Century Baroque Period Carved Cherub, Continental Circa 1750

Located in Ottawa, Ontario

A very charming example of Baroque carving, depicting a hand carved cherub in what appears to be butternut. Most likely a segment of a larger religious work.

Category

Antique Mid-18th Century European Baroque Figurative Sculptures

Materials

Wood

An 18th Century Baroque Period Carved Cherub, Continental Circa 1750

$960 Sale Price

36% Off

A Rare French Carved Architectural Fragment: Baroque Putto Head from Rouen Cathe

About the Item

More From This Seller

Antique 19th Century Figurative Sculptures

Antique Carved Oak Cherub Head Wall Hanging

Antique 18th Century Figurative Sculptures

18th Century Carved Wood Panel – Polychrome Head Of Cherub – Putto

Antique 18th Century Figurative Sculptures

18th Century Baroque Giltwood Putto – Hand-Carved & Painted Antique Cherub

Antique 18th Century Busts

18th-Century Carved Wooden Head of a Philosopher / Religious Figure

Antique 18th Century Figurative Sculptures

Fine 18th Century Indian Carved Hardwood Architectural Fragment Featuring a Nobl

Antique 17th Century Italian Figurative Sculptures

17th Century Italian Polychrome Painted Terracotta Jesus Child Putto Figure

You May Also Like

Antique 15th Century and Earlier Italian Renaissance Figurative Sculptures

Italian Renaissance Carved Wooden Angel Head

Antique Mid-18th Century Spanish Busts

18th Century Angel's Head Sculpture Handcarved in Wood

Antique 17th Century French Baroque Religious Items

17th Century Carved Wooden Angel Cherub

Antique 16th Century French Renaissance Figurative Sculptures

French 16th/ 17th Century Weathered Oak Renaissance Angel Fragment

Antique 18th Century French Baroque Architectural Elements

French, 17th / 18th Century Carved Stone Angel Head Ornament

Antique Mid-18th Century European Baroque Figurative Sculptures

An 18th Century Baroque Period Carved Cherub, Continental Circa 1750