Christie’s roundel
Lot 229

A PARCEL-GILT POLYCHROME CARVED WOOD FIGURE OF ST. MICHAEL

NEAPOLITAN, 18TH CENTURY

Closed5 November 2009

Price Realised

GBP 4,750

More Information

How to sell

A PARCEL-GILT POLYCHROME CARVED WOOD FIGURE OF ST. MICHAEL
NEAPOLITAN, 18TH CENTURY
Depicted holding a flag in his right hand; on an integral naturalistic base and associated oval spreading parcel-gilt and polychrome wood socle; losses, repairs, areas of the polychromy and gilding refreshed
15½ in. (39.3 cm.) high; 18 in. (45.7 cm.) overall

Specialist note

In terms of scale and style of carving the sensitively carved figure of St. Michael offered here seems to relate most closely to the polychrome "creche" figures made in Naples in the 18th century. Even a cursory look at the works of artists such as Salvatore Franco and Giuseppe Gori, both working in the circle of Giuseppe Sanmartino (1720-1793), illustrates their use of heavy baroque forms, lavish use of polychromy and slightly caricature-like facial features that can all be seen on the St. Michael offered here.