Western Europe, ca. 17th to 18th century CE. A remarkable pair of hand-carved wood busts of saints, each hand-painted in hues of black, gold, peach, pink, white, and brown. The 2 figures are nearly identical, though one gazes to the right and other to the left. Both wear cloaks with thick collars that flare out from their slender necks. Tonsured coiffures crown their heads, each in a halo-like manner, suggesting that they may represent St. Francis or a Franciscan monk. Each graceful visage displays thin lips, a pointed nose, upward-gazing eyes, and slender brows, all flanked by a pair of naturalistic ears. The verso of both is flat and show drillholes with wooden plugs suggesting they were previously attached to a wall. Size (of largest): 8.25" W x 9.5" H (21 cm x 24.1 cm)

Provenance: private East Coast, USA collection; ex-important art collection, New York, New York, USA, acquired in the 1950s to 1960s

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#164529

Both have expected surface wear with some nicks, chips, and abrasions, all commensurate with age. Otherwise, both are excellent with nice craquelure to paint. Metal suspension hook on verso of each for display.