Pair of painted and gilded papier-mâché candleholder angels. Italian Baroque art 17th-18th cent.

pair of papier-mâché reggicero (or candleholder) angels and carved, gilded and polychrome wooden bases, typical of Italian Baroque art, dating from the 17th early 18th century. These figures are commonly called "ceroferari angels" and were often made in pairs to be placed on the sides of an altar or on fine furniture. Main features Subjects: Two winged angels standing on square molded bases. Function: They hold large cornucopias or torches ending in a candle holder saucer. Style and Technique: They present a gold finish (gilding) on the robes and wings, with painted complexions (polychrome). The dynamic poses, with fluttering robes and a slightly forward leg, are typical of the Italian Renaissance and Baroque sculptural tradition. The pair of candle-bearing angels is a rare and well-preserved example of the art of working with papier-mâché for reliefs or sculptural figures that began in Italy as early as the 15th century. Height 60 cm.