A beautiful pair of 19th century Italian painted and parcel gilt carved wood urns, likely created for ecclesiastical use and intended to hold palms, branches, or floral arrangements within a church or chapel. With their sculptural silhouettes, timeworn painted surfaces, and beautifully aged gilding, the pair possesses the wonderfully theatrical character associated with Italian religious interiors.
Each urn is carved in a classical amphora-inspired form, with a generously rounded body tapering toward the base and flanked by exuberant scrolling handles. A pronounced band of rounded bead decoration encircles the shoulder, picked out in gilt to create a rich contrast against the softly aged painted ground. The scrolling handles are likewise highlighted with gilding, emphasizing their deeply carved curves and giving the urns an elegant sense of movement.
The lower portion of each vessel narrows into a carved foliate motif before resting upon a fluted collar, its alternating painted and gilt surfaces adding another layer of architectural detail. Above, the neck rises to a wonderfully unusual lobed crest, also parcel gilt and carved with vertical detailing beneath the rounded upper elements.
Each urn stands upon its original molded square plinth, shaped with clipped corners and layered architectural moldings. Traces of gilding follow the raised edges and circular foot, while the pale painted surfaces have mellowed considerably with age.
Especially beautiful is the untouched character of the painted and parcel gilt finish. Centuries of wear have softened the gilding and exposed portions of the underlying wood and preparation layers, creating the irregular, richly textured surface that gives old Italian ecclesiastical objects so much presence. Small losses, rubbing, cracks, and variations between the two are part of their history and reinforce the authenticity of the pair rather than detracting from it.
Originally conceived as ceremonial objects, today these urns are wonderfully decorative architectural pieces in their own right. Displayed together on a console, mantel, commode, or flanking a doorway or work of art, they bring the faded grandeur of an old Italian church interior into a contemporary setting. Their scale, sculptural carving, and beautifully worn cream-and-gold surfaces make them equally compelling left empty or filled with palms, branches, or dramatic greenery.
*Currently aboard our latest container from France and Italy. Additional photographs will be added once this piece arrives in Birmingham — but you don’t have to wait for the boat. Use Comments & Inquiries to ask about purchasing it before arrival.
Dimensions:
h - 22.75"
w - 15"
d - 10.5"
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A CLOSER LOOK REVEALS
Origin: Italy
Date: 19th century
Material: Carved wood with painted and parcel gilt finish
Style: Italian ecclesiastical with classical and neoclassical influences
Shape: Classical amphora-inspired urn form with rounded bodies, scrolling handles, and square molded plinth bases
Detail: Gilt beadwork encircling the shoulders, carved scrolling handles, foliate lower-body decoration, fluted collars, and lobed crests
Paint: Softly aged pale cream painted ground with parcel gilt highlights
Patina: Beautifully worn gilding with rubbing, losses, exposed preparation layers, and naturally aged surface texture
Use: Likely intended for ecclesiastical display, possibly for palms, branches, or floral arrangements within a church or chapel
Condition: Very good antique condition with age-appropriate wear, minor losses, cracks, rubbing, and surface variations consistent with age and use
Dimensions: 22.75"H x 15"W x 10.5"D
Sold: As a pair
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