Presenting an exceptional pair of hand carved caryatid panels, probably salvaged from cabinetry or old French chateau or Italian villa walls, the figures are companions though not exact matches. Certainly carved by same carver and/or for the same room or cabinetry, but there are variations to the 2 figures. These would be fabulous worked into your own custom cabinetry, flanking a doorway, mounts for a window shelf or whatever placement you can devise. Imagine the cost of having these carved today, and you've got old world heavy solid old growth wood that is just not possible to find in building materials today. The set is likely late 1700s, earliest 1800s when the Classical figures' popularity was revived by Napoleon's explorations and conquests. They remind me of the fabulous Greek caryatids on the one building near the Acropolis in Athens. The set is being sold as a pair, even though they are not mirror or exact matches.
Very good to excellent condition, ready to hang as art, or to build into your own custom cabinetry. No chips or cracks, no breaks. The pair are in a fine old growth walnut with beautiful patina to the wood. Nicely preserved, there are no woodworm holes or other evidence of infestation of any kind. No odors, either. Clean and wonderfully preserved. They measure 23.5" tall and are each 4.5" wide, 2" deepest. A hole has been drilled in the tops, wire loop inserted so they have been used to hang on wall as decoration. Better in person!
