18th Century Pair of Limestone Winged Horses

This exceptionally life-like antique sculpture is carved from linden wood and once decorated a French church or cathedral. The figure stands authoritatively, with right arm raised and index finger extended toward heaven. It probably stood on a base in a side chapel. According to Christian iconography of the period, this gesture signifies that salvation comes only through baptism. The figure wears a girdle of animal fir, probably from a bear, making symbolic reference to St. John the Baptist's life in the wilderness of Judea, between Jerusalem and the Dead Sea. The elegantly carved robe is a baroque element that adds a sense of motion and energy to the artwork. Originally, the sculpture was polychromed, but the original pigments have weathered away and been replaced with whitewash. Repairs, losses, and insect damage are minor and expected due to great age. many vintage and antique religious sculptures...

These marvelously fluid and artistic figures were cast from bronze in the style of Northern Thailand and Burma. According to Buddhist tradition, the Buddha had two first Chief Disciples, Sāriputta and Moggallāna. They were wealthy young men seeking after higher knowledge and enlightenment and always depicted in elegant robes and often with unshaven heads. Depictions of these greatly -revered apostles are often found along side Buddha statues and holy angels...