Skip to main content
Want more images or videos?
Request additional images or videos from the seller
1 of 8

18th Century Icon, Wax Portrait Giltwood Frame

About the Item

Rare 18th century giltwood framed carved and polychrome wax silver and gold decorated figure of saint Catherine of Alexandria icon, with original gilt frame. The rarity of this piece cannot be overstated. This incredible piece is museum quality and one of the rarest surviving 18th century wax works of art you will see. She is adorned at various parts, including her sword with a thin layer of pure silver and her halo appears to me made of pure gold. The attention to detail is incredible throughout. There is a very old label on the reverse reciting words that appear faintly written on the lower section of the back. It is in superb condition for its age, with the glass recently professionally cleaned by an expert conservationalist in the field. Saint Catherine, depicted in this wax carved statuette, bejewelled with pearls & holding a sword & olive branch, as you know, was seen to embody the power of Christian erudition. According to legend, Saint Catherine's learned arguments on behalf of Christianity converted not only the court philosophers of the pagan emperor Maxentius, but 200 guardian soldiers and the ruler's wife as well. In retribution, all were put to death. The virtuous Saint is shown holding the spiked wheel upon which she was tortured before being decapitated. Over 1,100 years following her martyrdom, St. Joan of Arc identified Catherine as one of the Saints who appeared to her and counselled her. In the Catholic Church she is traditionally revered as one of the Fourteen Holy Helpers. Approximate Size: Height 9 inches, width 6.5 inches, depth 1.5 inches. An incredibly rare piece.
  • Dimensions:
    Height: 9 in (22.86 cm)Width: 6.5 in (16.51 cm)Depth: 1 in (2.54 cm)
  • Style:
    Rococo (Of the Period)
  • Materials and Techniques:
    Gesso,Glass,Gold Leaf,Silver Leaf,Gilt
  • Place of Origin:
    Italy
  • Period:
    18th Century
  • Date of Manufacture:
    1750
  • Condition:
    Wear consistent with age and use.
  • Seller Location:
    London, GB
  • Reference Number:
    1stDibs: LU120426008703

More From This Seller

View All
Exceptional Pair of Carved Giltwood Wall Sconces
Located in London, by appointment only
Thank you for your interest in this pair of giltwood wall sconces. Nicholas Wells Antiques is pleased to present a pair of very fine carved giltwood ...
Category

Antique Mid-18th Century English George III Wall Lights and Sconces

Materials

Giltwood

Exceptional Pair of Carved Giltwood Wall Sconces

Exceptional Pair of Carved Giltwood Wall Sconces

$13,855
19th Century Royal Coat of Arms of the United Kingdom
Located in London, by appointment only
Scottish, after 1837. This particular carving of the Coat of Arms of the United Kingdom as used in Scotland is marvellous for the tremendous vitality of the Unicorn and Lions. It ...
Category

Antique Late 19th Century British Early Victorian Wall-mounted Sculptures

Materials

Wood, Paint

19th Century Royal Coat of Arms of the United Kingdom

19th Century Royal Coat of Arms of the United Kingdom

$117,768
Free Shipping
Dutch Rococo Bombe Parquetry Commode, 18th Century
Located in London, by appointment only
Stunning mid 18th century Dutch Rococo Bombe Commode with quality padouk, tulipwood, laburnum and Kingwood parquetry with shaped exceptional origi...
Category

Antique Mid-18th Century Dutch Rococo Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Padouk

Dutch Rococo Bombe Parquetry Commode, 18th Century

Dutch Rococo Bombe Parquetry Commode, 18th Century

$34,637
Dutch Marquetry Vitrine on Chest Early 18th Century Transitional
Located in London, by appointment only
An 18th century Flemish marquetry vitrine on chest, the shaped crest centred by a finial above two glazed doors opening to a shelved cupboard, the vitrine sits on a serpentine chest ...
Category

Antique Early 18th Century Dutch Rococo Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Walnut

Dutch Marquetry Vitrine on Chest Early 18th Century Transitional

Dutch Marquetry Vitrine on Chest Early 18th Century Transitional

$15,240
Italian Marble Bust of a Girl, 18th Century
By Achille Collas
Located in London, by appointment only
Italian 18th Century Marble Bust of a Girl Late 18th century bust of a girl, in the manner of Luigi Valadier Son of Andrea Valadier, a Prove...
Category

Antique 18th Century Italian Grand Tour Busts

Materials

Marble

Italian Marble Bust of a Girl, 18th Century

Italian Marble Bust of a Girl, 18th Century

$20,782
Pair 18th Century Louis XV Silvered Bronze Figures
Located in London, by appointment only
Beautiful pair of 18th century Louis XV silvered bronze musical cherubs on columns. The silvering on these delightful and elegantly sculpted pair exhibits the most wonderful aged col...
Category

Antique 18th Century French Louis XV Figurative Sculptures

Materials

Bronze

Pair 18th Century Louis XV Silvered Bronze Figures

Pair 18th Century Louis XV Silvered Bronze Figures

$10,391 / set

You May Also Like

Monumental late 18th century French Giltwood Frame
Located in Leesburg, VA
Monumental late 18th century French Giltwood Frame France; ca. 1800 Giltwood Approximate size: 52 (h) x 48 (w) x 5 (d) in. This statement frame was beautifully conceived at the he...
Category

Antique 1790s French Louis XVI Wall-mounted Sculptures

Materials

Giltwood

Monumental late 18th century French Giltwood Frame

Monumental late 18th century French Giltwood Frame

$32,995
18th Century Italian Giltwood Sunburst
Located in Essex, MA
18th Century Italian Giltwood Sunburst with original gilding
Category

Antique 18th Century Wall-mounted Sculptures

Materials

Giltwood

18th Century Italian Giltwood Sunburst

18th Century Italian Giltwood Sunburst

$2,800
18th Century Spanish Giltwood Molding
Located in Round Top, TX
A very beautiful 18th century giltwood molding fragment from Barcelona. A beautiful floral motif with very high gold content.
Category

Antique 18th Century Spanish Architectural Elements

Materials

Giltwood

18th Century Spanish Giltwood Molding

18th Century Spanish Giltwood Molding

$2,950
18th Century Parisian Giltwood Barometer Thermometer
Located in Dallas, TX
This lovely giltwood barometer and thermometer was hand-carved during the Louis XVI period in Paris, France. During the late 1700’s, barometers were typically only owned by wealthy families. Over time, barometers began to be viewed as works of art and could be found in middle class homes throughout Europe. The highly detailed crown of our apparatus depicts a footed vase bursting with a floral display. The garland trails down in an arch shape until it reaches an angular platform adorned with molding and vertical fluting. The flowered swag continues behind the platform, transitioning into a pair of gadrooned leaves. Each gadrooned leaf terminates in a husked cornucopia overflowing with laurel leaves. A large circular barometer dial is positioned in between the cornucopias. Under the barometer is a looping lambrequin that borders the top half of the thermometer. A pair of gadrooned leaves runs behind and through the lambrequin, flanking the lower half of the thermometer. A fluted base beneath the thermometer sits in a gadrooned cup. The detail of the carvings on this late 18th century Parisian...
Category

Antique Late 18th Century French Louis XVI Scientific Instruments

Materials

Iron

18th Century Parisian Giltwood Barometer Thermometer

18th Century Parisian Giltwood Barometer Thermometer

$2,800
18th Century Frame with a Marble Profile Portraits Vespesian Roman Emperor
Located in Firenze, IT
SHIPPING POLICY: No additional costs will be added to this order. Shipping costs will be totally covered by the seller (customs duties included). In terracotta with black marble medallion centered by a white marble profile...
Category

Antique 1780s Italian Neoclassical Wall-mounted Sculptures

Materials

Marble

18th Century Frame with a Marble Profile Portraits Vespesian Roman Emperor

18th Century Frame with a Marble Profile Portraits Vespesian Roman Emperor

$4,700
Russian Orthodox Bronze Traveling Icons, 18th Century
Located in North Miami, FL
A collection of late 18th century Russian Orthodox bronze traveling icons. They have been mounted on a Lucite panel and framed with a double molding, ...
Category

Antique 18th Century Russian Wall-mounted Sculptures

Materials

Gold Leaf, Bronze

Russian Orthodox Bronze Traveling Icons, 18th Century

Russian Orthodox Bronze Traveling Icons, 18th Century

$1,313 Sale Price / set
24% Off

Recently Viewed

View All