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Antique Florentine Hand Carved Frame with Allegorical Mythological Carvings

$17,999
£13,637.66
€15,648.13
CA$25,327.50
A$27,841.89
CHF 14,632.42
MX$338,101.93
NOK 182,535.76
SEK 172,939.79
DKK 116,785.95

About the Item

An extraordinary 19th century Florentine Renaissance Revival gilt wood frame, masterfully carved in ash wood and richly gilded, embodying the opulent tradition of Florentine and Venetian craftsmanship. This exceptional frame is alive with deeply symbolic ornamentation. At its base, two mermaids hold hands- sea-born figures often associated with the transitional realm of purgatory- flanked by two fantastical mythological dogs, one with a long muzzle and the other one with leonine features. Rising along the vertical sides, intricate branches unfurl with climbing creatures: monkeys and hybrid beings with animal bodies but hauntingly human faces, striving upwards as though in a moral struggle. At the summit, the allegory culminates in a celestial vision- an angel framed by radiant phoenix birds, symbols of rebirth and transcendence. The composition can be read as a profound allegory of the soul’s passage: from the mermaids of the sea (purgatory), past earthly temptations and grotesque trials, toward the angelic realm of resurrection and eternal life. Such rich iconography is rare in frames, suggesting this example was conceived not merely as a decorative border but as a statement piece in its own right. Origin: Florence, Italy Date: 19th Century Material: Ash wood, water-gilded Style: Renaissance Revival, with allegorical and mythological carvings This is more than a frame- it is a sculptural narrative, an object of devotion and conversation, and an exceptional example of Italian woodcarving and gilding artistry. The frame can be used for either a beautiful mirror or for a painting.
  • Dimensions:
    Height: 33.86 in (86 cm)Width: 25.99 in (66 cm)Depth: 2.37 in (6 cm)
  • Style:
    Renaissance Revival (Of the Period)
  • Materials and Techniques:
  • Place of Origin:
  • Period:
  • Date of Manufacture:
    Ca 1850-1870
  • Condition:
    Wear consistent with age and use.
  • Seller Location:
    Doha, QA
  • Reference Number:
    1stDibs: LU7451246683832

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